The Ties that Bind

"Though the breezes through trees
Move so pretty you're all I see
As the world keeps spinning round
You hold me right here right now"


It can hardly come as a surprise that my most-heard phrase since receiving a full ride scholarship to study in Europe for two years has been "You are so lucky!" (followed closely by "Be safe" and "Don't do drugs!"). I certainly don't disagree. The serendipitous events that led me to apply; the prospect of meeting new places and faces at nearly no monetary cost to me; and the fact that I am, as yet, sufficiently untethered to career or relationship to allow me to make life choices 'purely selfishly' in my own self-interest, fully support the notion of my very good luck.


Yet, last night, as the karaoke blared under the Fairy-twinkle lights and hazy Nebraska sky, Miss Megan looked me in the eye and said wonderingly, 'You are so lucky!' and it took me far more than a moment to realize she meant my trip.  I could hardly think of it all night. I smiled back and said "Yeah, I am," my thoughts on magical surprises, excellent food (shrimp and chocolate chip cookies!), the crazy, comforting company of family and friends, and, of course, karaoke. I could barely contain the joy (both peaceful and exuberant) of each moment and had none to spare for tomorrow, let alone Europe.


It was a brilliant party, and I send a thousand virtual thanks to my family for their planning of the whole affair -- absolutely inspired. Thank you to everyone who shared in my night and to everyone who was there in spirit. And a shout out to Uncle Jerry (I think you know why :). Don't worry, this does not replace the very real 'thank you' cards I will be sending.

As the Boss says:
"Now you can't break the ties that bind,
You can't forsake the ties that bind."


I am lucky, so very lucky, but not because I get to go adventuring. Because I am surrounded by such an amazing, incomparable love; a love that supports, encourages, teases; a love that can transform the dull pang of impending separation into a bright smile and a hearty laugh. These are the ties that bind me. These are the threads that hold tight my heart. These are the lines that anchor me when I travel far from home.

The ties that bind are long and strong, and very malleable - a bungee cord that will stretch and will not break, and will protect me as I enjoy a wild, wondrous ride before tugging me safely home.


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"You sit and wonder just who's gonna stop the rain
Who'll ease the sadness, who's gonna quiet the pain
It's a long dark highway and a thin white line
Connecting baby, your heart to mine
We're runnin' now but darlin' we will stand in time
To face the ties that bind"