Texans are a kind and helpful people. Everything is big, yes. And sprawling. But there is diversity, there is beauty, and there are kindred spirits.
Many things happen over four years, but it is possible to hug a friend and know, in a matter of minutes, that nothing significant has changed.
And then you begin to talk and laugh together, and you play Bananagrams, and eat scones with clotted cream (so very Texan of us), and then you make the experience more authentic with Tex-Mex and a hearty breakfast, some Persian food (fun for all to try) and of course, BBQ.
You eat enough meat to feed a small family and you walk around the town where you can't see businesses from the road (bylaws say they have to be behind a row of trees), and you see quinceañera parties in a park in Houston.
There are conversations about life, dreams, cycling and writing. You sing along to The Beatles' Paperback Writer with the windows down. You listen to the country music station and discuss the difference between orange tree thorns and lime tree thorns.
There is a beautiful quilt on the bed.
Walking along a creek leaves you soaked by heavy rainfall, full-up with more laughter, and startled at the sudden roll of thunder overhead. And then there are hugs goodbye and the promise to do this again in less than four years.
At the airport, you watch the sunset and think about what a beautiful sky this is, and what a beautiful life you have.
Many things happen over four years, but it is possible to hug a friend and know, in a matter of minutes, that nothing significant has changed.
And then you begin to talk and laugh together, and you play Bananagrams, and eat scones with clotted cream (so very Texan of us), and then you make the experience more authentic with Tex-Mex and a hearty breakfast, some Persian food (fun for all to try) and of course, BBQ.
You eat enough meat to feed a small family and you walk around the town where you can't see businesses from the road (bylaws say they have to be behind a row of trees), and you see quinceañera parties in a park in Houston.
There are conversations about life, dreams, cycling and writing. You sing along to The Beatles' Paperback Writer with the windows down. You listen to the country music station and discuss the difference between orange tree thorns and lime tree thorns.
There is a beautiful quilt on the bed.
Walking along a creek leaves you soaked by heavy rainfall, full-up with more laughter, and startled at the sudden roll of thunder overhead. And then there are hugs goodbye and the promise to do this again in less than four years.
At the airport, you watch the sunset and think about what a beautiful sky this is, and what a beautiful life you have.
I enjoyed this post muchly.
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