Raspberries & Homesickness

My first day living back in Irvine a few weeks ago, I bought a carton of raspberries from the Trader Joe's next to my apartment. I ate them paired with fresh mozzarella & evening air- but that's beside the point. Since that day I've walked through Trader Joe's probably another 3-4 times that same week. Each time, I've seen the same stand, with the same delicious raspberries. Each time, my mouth waters a little and I crave even just one berry. And each time, I've passed by the stand thinking- I'll get them next time.

Well today I made this familiar walk through Trader Joe's, and lo and behold, there was the stand! One problem: NO RASPBERRIES. Tons of blackberries, ripe strawberries, luminescent red currants- but not one raspberry. I missed my chance.

As most people living away from home will tell you, homesickness kicks in at the point where everything starts to feel familiar in the new place and you realize this isn't a short vacation; this is your new home. 
(Okay yes. I know I go to UCI- 40 minutes away from my home in Manhattan Beach... And I know I go home more often than I should. But... I STILL GET HOMESICK. Yeah I said it... SH. I'm cool.)

Now don't get me wrong- I love Irvine. My spot at my new Ambrose abode (Yes I've already claimed it my own), the quaint park next door, a communal friendly neighborhood and amazing roommates: it really feels like home. But when I was mildly ill and alone last week, nothing could have compared to lying on the couch, drifting in and out of sleep with my family and puppy by my side and the drone of dad's NBA basketball channel on in the background.

So what does this all have to do with raspberries???
Well when I went up to the stand to get those raspberries today and realized I'd missed my chance, it hit me that I already 'wasted' a week of my short time in Irvine wallowing over home and all its entails. Because the past just works this way, we can't relive days the way we wished we had originally lived them. And while it's the easiest thing to browse- Ok let's be honest: lurk- Facebook and my parent's Instagrams and let myself think about all that's going on at home, I am making a conscious decision to focus my attention on the here and now- the people, circumstances, and opportunities God has blessed me with right now, the experiences I'm about to have, and the joys yet challenges God sovereignly gives. (Oh and please don't get me wrong. Mom, Dad if you're reading this... You'll still see me every weekend! Hehe >:)

MORAL OF THE STORY?!

Buy the raspberries and enjoy them while you can- they could be gone tomorrow.