California! I remember why you are my home of choice. A big piece of my heart will always be in you. Places change, faces change, minds change, I change too. But you’re still the one that shaped who I am today. You witnessed my most profound growths, joys, tears, pains and laughter. I owe it all to your allowing! The freedom to be! “Welcome to the Hotel California… This could be Heaven or this could be Hell”*. My highest of highs and lowest of lows are with you.
I was a young new graduate with a computer science degree when you first lured me into your folds. I drove across country to start my new life. I had no clue what was in store for me. I saw your beautiful sunset on highway 1 and it was love at first sight! “This is home”, my heart said!
Years passed. I rose, fell, tumbled, twirled, rocked and rolled in your whirlwinds, earthquakes and fires. Every time coming out transformed and redefined. My core reshaping and adjusting, just like yours. Constantly redefining, learning and growing. Computer engineer, technical recruiter, dancer, entrepreneur, business owner, singer, drummer, radio show host, Tantrika, traveler, writer and counting… you allowed it all.
“But where are you really from?” I get asked all over the world, including in Egypt and the USA, but not in California, where most of us are from somewhere else. Each one of us is unique, crazy, and ever changing, like everyone else 😘. Ah! The comfort of familiarity. A place “where everybody knows my name, and they’re always glad I came”**.
Yes, there will always be things that irritate the heck out of me, yet you’re still beautiful, diverse, vibrant, innovative and the weather!! The Eagles were right on when they said: “You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave”*…my heart ❤️.
* From the song “Hotel California” by the Eagles.
** From the sitcom “Cheers” theme song.
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Unconditional Love 