The power of home

Hey rantsters,  you know the old cliche home is where the heart is?  Well I have proven it to be a fact!  Scientist take note.  My travels this summer have have given me insight into this theory, and I want to share my experiences with you.  Now this field testing took place over the last two weeks, and has a slight margin of error (throw some weird number in there).  All in all I think I could change the face of the world with this data, so here it is.

Two weeks ago I embarked upon the Boston Bay, Headed to a little town in Cape Cod called Provincetown. Here I began a week of tedious and fulfilling volunteer work that was a year in planning.  This annual event is know as Family Week for COLAGE. COLAGE is the Only National youth driven network for people with a LGBTQ parent or Guardian.  This Organization has been around for 20 years now and Family Week is a 15 year part of its tradition.  Now this was only my second year attending, so I didn't fully know what I would feel.  The last time I was there I became very close to a lot of people, but some of them weren't returning and some were only gonna be facilitating part of the week.

As we all met together to board the ferry (yes a 2 hour ferry ride in which I was sea sick for most of it) I felt like part of my family had been reunited.  Docking on the shores of Provincetown was an amazing feeling.  One because I was back on solid ground again and two because I felt like I was home.  Throughout the week that feeling was ever present.  When the youth got there and we were doing our programming, so many of them came to me and shared stories of last year and were so excited.  There were a ton of hugs and love all around.  By the end of the week I was in tears because I almost didn't want to leave home for home.  The time I spent  with my family there was invaluable, but alas the long plane ride home was here.

Now don't get me wrong, there was a lot of people I missed at home, but Utah is kinda boring. Still when I got off the plane I couldn't wait to see all the people and here what happened in my absence.  When I got back to Logan, I was once again home.  The first stop the good ole Pike house.  All of my brothers were enjoying the weather and having a good time.  I was home. Hung out with my brother (who are my family) for a while, just laughing and kicking back.  Then it was on to my apartment, where my roommates met me with open arms. The love was everywhere, whether it was brotherly or friendly.  I knew I was home.

My research has brought me to a simple yet complex answer. Home is not a place, it doesn't have a zipcode or an address.  Its the people you consider family.  I have been in a place so familiar as Dallas TX and felt so far removed from home.  Home is a place of true comfort and acceptance.  Home is where the heart is and my heart belongs with my family.  So here is a shout out to all my rantster family, Thank you for being my home.

Much love,

Coop

P.S.  I'm a scientific genius!!