A good path
Prompt:
Think of a time when life gave you a gift exactly when you needed it—a new friend, a new opportunity, some new knowledge that allowed you to change paths. Write about how that felt, and what it made possible.
Shedding a sense of temporariness
There was something transformative about my 26th birthday. I had taken some vacation time off of work so I had 5 days of just celebrating me. I went to the spa, grabbed drinks with a friend, updated my license, and celebrated the second anniversary of the South Philadelphia Community Fridge with neighbors. Everything felt right and I was refreshed by the end of the week.
I moved to Philly in the summer of 2019 to serve with AmeriCorps. The combination of pandemic quarantine and the fact that many of my friends had moved after our program had ended made it hard for Philly to feel like home. I have also moved apartments every year since 2018. Feeling a sense of permanence was something I feel I lacked since high school.
But getting my new PA license during my birthday week felt like it symbolized the decision to finally lay some roots in Philly especially since getting my license is always a bit of a hassle for me. Neighbors from the community fridge always warmly greet me. Staff at the coffee shop and Indonesian restaurant I frequent also began to recognize me. I saw all the signs that week.
This chaotically hilarious city is home.
