Uprooted

Back in early November, I left my hometown where I basically grew up my entire life to move to Maryland. Aside from my job, however, nothing in Maryland truly feels like home yet. The excitement factor of starting a new life that was present during the actual move has subsided, so now I'm left with whatever dwindling optimism I can attempt to muster up. Needless to say, adjusting to my new life hasn't been easy.

The truth is, however, that I'm not giving Maryland much of a chance since I've been going back to New Jersey most weekends. The reason I keep going back? To get back to my roots. You know, surrounding myself in good company to bounce not-always-so-funny jokes off of each other and to get really excited when we hear songs that we never get tired of singing along and dancing too, all while being my usual wacky self? Yeah, those roots.

I'm wondering now if it's even possible to balance starting a new life in Maryland while actively staying in touch with friends from New Jersey. Or if I'll ever really like Maryland at all. I specifically remember worrying about all of this during a recent drive back to Maryland... that is, until I drove past a house with a chalk board on the front lawn that read "home is within."

Regardless where I am, I can always take comfort in knowing that my friends and family will always be there for me. I don't have to be in physical proximity to feel close to them. As for how things will pan out south of the mason-dixon line, I suppose only time will tell. All I can do right now is hope for the best and take it one step at a time. Maybe Maryland will work out. Maybe it won't. Life is trial and error, after all.