About ten years ago was the last time I saw my Dad's side of the family. My Dad took my two older brother's and I to Europe, and we were able to explore a little bit of the life that my Dad grew up in. To give a little history, my Dad was born in Spain, but spent most of his childhood in central France. My Dad joined the LDS church as a teenager, and eventually served a mission in Paris. After he returned home, he came over to the states, met my mom, and the rest is history.
I have always been a little sad that I have missed out on the cultural experiences and family that have awaited me on the other side of the world. When my Dad took me to Europe I fell madly in love with it. I remember coming home and telling my grade school friend Nicole literally every single detail of every single day. I loved playing with my cousins, trying to communicate through their broken English (Since I didn't know any French or Spanish in those days) and the unfamiliarity of the culture. I longed to be apart of it. My cousins were longing to come to the United States, while I was longing to move to Europe.
Since that trip ten years ago, I have yet to return to Europe. My Dad returns about every year and a half to see his family, and I am always secretly hoping that he is going to surprise me and bring me with him. (Although I know that this is never going to be a reality.) Since I have been single again, Europe has seemed more like a reality. I am dying to experience the sights, experience the culture, and explore more of my Father's childhood.
Currently, my best friend from high school has been studying in Milan Italy and has been skyping with me about all of her adventures all over Europe. I know it's weird, but it almost makes me homesick. I am dying so bad to go.
The sad thing, is that I currently have a lack of money, and although I keep leaving the country, I keep going to South America not Europe. Although I cannot wait for my upcoming summer in Peru, South America was never my dream. Europe was.
Tonight I am in the library studying for the two treacherous tests that await me tomorrow. I was listening to the Mumford and Sons Pandora station when Louis Armstrong's La Vie en Rose popped onto my playlist. I can not tell you how "homesick" it made me. This song always makes me think of my few days spent in Paris; probably because of the 1995 film French Kiss which uses the song as a sort of theme for the lovesick relationship I am currently having with Europe.
Pray for me that someday I will make it back and that I will be able to experience everything I want to. Until then, I will continue to put La Vie en Rose on repeat and daydream away until I realize the library is closing, I will never be prepared for my tests, and that travel will come one day.
Megan, you were so young when I moved away but I still feel close to you. Your mom was one my very best friends. I always wish that you still had your mom here on earth but I know she is close by you and watching over you. I hope you can feel her presence at times. You can always call me, I have a good listening ear! I love you Meg and wish the very best for you. XOXO Linda
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