The Y

I'm home. That's what I felt today when I took a quick drive around my old college campus. There are lots of places I could say that about. I would feel that way if I went to San Jose again. I'll feel that way when I step off the plane back in Columbus. There can be lots of places that feel like home during our lives.

Another thing happened too. I got tears in my eyes! Tears in my eyes? Really? There are only a few things that do it to me. That short list would include saying goodbye to Andrew in an airport, looking at my son, reliving a memory from Japan...really there are not many things that make me get teary.

I don't know why I felt that way. I certainly don't want to go back to being a BYU student. I don't think it's sadness ...or even profound happiness. I think I've decided that its gratitude. There is something about the place where you became the person you are. Revisiting it, hopefully, makes you feel grateful that it did it's job well. I started there when I was 18, more than ready to leave high school behind but really quite immature, a little restless, and with absolutely no plans (I only thought about getting into college...I never thought past that point). I left when I was 25, married, and pretty much determined about the path I want my life to take (okay, still not so sure about the major...but its over and done with so there's no changing it). All that happened in between was everything that ultimately made me who I am. So that's why I feel like I'm home. There aren't many "defining moments" in our lives, but a great many of mine are all at one location.

Now I just need Andrew here. Maybe we'd sneak into Lavell Edwards Stadium again and kiss on the 50 yard line like we did when we were kiddos. No, we probably wouldn't ...there are too many far greater memories there. Thanks BYU...you're the gift that keeps giving. Now give us a wicked awesome football season.