As I hopped onto I-5 south, bound for my old hometown in California, I suddenly and very heavily realized the dichotomy of which I was currently enveloped in.
Ever since I moved to Washington, all I've wanted was to go back to California. Sophomore year, my friends Ja, Ohmie, Bo and I made a pact to run away to the big CA the day of graduation, and never look back.
Well, it hasn't happened exactly as such, but nevertheless, here I am. What's funny is I was just beginning to get used to the idea of living in Washington. I really love it there and now consider it to be my home. Whereas on the one hand I have the family that I grew up with as a child, that raised me and taught me the lessons every young boy should learn, on the other hand I have this wonderful family in Washington that I have both been born into, and partly built through close ties that I feel will never be broken. The weight of this conflict suddenly became very real to me as I was beginning my 18 hour journey down the west coast. It started out as laughter, as I suddenly realized "I'm finally leaving Puyallup! I'm getting out of here!" And quickly turned to tears as the fact of all that I was leaving behind began to sink in. I must say, anyone who would have seen me may have thought me crazy, laughing in a fit of tears. Trying to keep it together just enough as to not run myself off the road. I know that I will always have a home and friends and family waiting for me in Washington. I know that this is just the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I don't know what will happen, or even how long i will be here. But I know that God is with me, and that whatever happens I just have to make the best of it. And as far as I'm concerned, that's all that's worth knowing in this lifetime.
To my Washingtonians:
Thank you for being there for me through the roughest years of my life.
Thank you for molding me and shaping me into the man that I have become.
Thank you for not giving up on me as you had to watch me make all of the mistakes I have.
Thank you for still accepting me when I came around.
Thank you for preparing me for what life will bring my way.
Thank you for loving and caring for me. I could never thank you enough for that.
I will always remember you and cherish you. I don't know how long I'll be gone, but whether it's ten months or ten years, I will always love you and hold you very close to my heart. I look forward to seeing you again on holidays, when we can catch up on all of the life that we've lived.
I love you, I love you, I love you. That's all I can say at this point.
That, and thank you again. And again, and again.
--Evan
