Everybody Who Accomplishes Anything Leaves Home

“Everybody who accomplishes anything leaves home. This action, leaving home, has an effect on the people left behind and sometimes, most dramatically, on the new people one meets.” ~Jamaica Kincaid

Such a profound statement, and something that I think of often.

Home for me is Louisiana. I attended college in New Orleans, and even though it was only two hours from home, it was such a huge change for me at the time. Never did I think I would ever leave Louisiana, and now it been almost 20 years since I have left.

As an only child, I know that this was hard for my parents. They gave me every opportunity in the world, and in doing so, I was able to travel the world, meet new people, try new foods, and be exposed to different cultures and languages, things that I never dreamed possible.

And in turn, I brought my own south Louisiana culture to all the people I met and places I visited and lived. I cooked crawfish etoufee and gumbo for my friends, explained Cajun/Creole culture and why we celebrate Mardi Gras, while I demonstrated how to do a second line dance.

All of this would not have been possible if I had not left.

The impact of those that we leave, as well as what we bring to those that we meet, is profound. And dare I say, necessary.

As I tell my daughters, nieces, and nephews - “You can always come home, home will always be here.”

What I really mean is that I want them to see the world, experience things I could only dream of, and come back inspired to share their new found knowledge.

Louisiana, you will always be home and where my heart is.