As the holidays draw near, many may start to think about "going home." It's the time of year when school and work can be put on the back burner and reconnecting with loved ones becomes the focus. It is a time to find home, but what does that truly mean? Where is home?

I have recently started pondering this question. The answer that comes to mind is not what one might expect -- that of the place where you spent your childhood, or where your parents live.

Having been a member of the Thomas College community for almost five years now, I consider Thomas one of my homes. It's a place where I feel comfortable and where I can find myself coming back to later, even when my reasons for being here are not as prominent as they are now, when I am a student. I have "family" here ... and family who have moved on, but will return here to our "home."

For my friends who have graduated already and gone on to find success in the "real world," Thomas will always be a home along the road to greatness.

Recently, two of my good friends, Lacie and Jael, who both graduated from Thomas in May, came back to Thomas for a much needed reminder of what it took to earn the diploma on their walls (and to see me, of course). When they got here, Lacie said, "This place hasn't changed a bit. I miss being here." My automatic response as someone who is still in the midst of semester projects and papers and preparing for finals was, "What? You are done and have a great job. Why would you miss this place?" Jael and Lacie laughed and said together, "It's home." That really made me look around campus and think that in just a few short months, I won't be here anymore, and I started to see Thomas as they saw it -- a home they had for four years that just felt right.

We talked a lot about the "old" times (only a couple of years ago) and laughed at all the crazy nights we have been through together, from going out to the Blues Club and singing karaoke to picking names out of a hat for secret Santa.

After all of the reminiscing, it was time for me to go to class.

"I wish I had to go to class," Jael said with a tone of remembrance in her voice.

Christina (far right),  participates in a Residence Hall floor program - The Relay for Life)

 

"No, you don't," I said, rolling my eyes as I grabbed my books and thought about the test ahead of me. "Yes, she does," Lacie said. "It's just another day, and you don't have that many left. So live it up!"

"I really do miss it here. I know it's weird to you, because you haven't left; but I would definitely go back in time if I could. You're lucky to still be here," Jael said with a truth that really hit home.

"Maybe you're right. I know I am going to miss this place," I said with sudden understanding. Having my friends visit reminded me why I am here and what I am striving for. Their perspective was new to me, but they made me appreciate what I have here and the opportunities that still lay ahead.

Thomas is smaller than a lot of other colleges and universities in Maine and the country, but size isn't what truly matters; it's quality. I think the reason it feels like a home is because you tend to get to know everyone in the Thomas community. To visit a friend, you don't need to walk a mile down the street or to the opposite side of campus; you only have to look out your window or knock on your neighbor's door.

I have lived in the Thomas community: eating meals, doing projects, celebrating birthdays, playing sports and leaning on friends for support through the hard times. These are things that don't just go away with a diploma; these are things that will stick with you for the rest of your life.

I have learned so much from the people around me and changed so much as a person since I have been at Thomas. I think these are the things that make a place a true home. I do indeed have my hometown with my house and my family; but after spending most of my time here over the last few years, I have found that more than one place can be home. It's a place where you feel safe, unguarded, and can truly be yourself. Thomas has become a safe haven for me, and I can only hope that everyone else in the world has that same thing somewhere. This time of year and some fresh perspective from my friends really make me thankful for what I have: two homes for the holidays.