On the Road Again: Texas Roots & a Sisterly Bond

Texas My Texas

No matter how long I live in another state, going to Texas will always feel like going home. This is not because I miss living there or dislike where I live now; I don't. I love Minnesota and all it has to offer my family. But our roots are in Texas.

Texas is where our families are. Texas is where my native tongue is free to relax and fall lazily into the slow, twangy drawling cadence of Texans. Texas is where 22 years of my memories reside. Texas is friendly and welcoming to this Native daughter. Texas is where I can get great Mexican food and great BBQ. And Texas is where I avoid absolutely any discussion of politics.

My Greek Sisters

Texas is also where all my sisters live. I may not have any biological sisters, but I do have a number of beautiful, sweet, funny sisters; my sorority sisters, that is. For me, college began with Sorority Rush and my experience with the Greek system has left an indelible mark on my life.

My Alpha Phi sisters from Midwestern State University are still some of my closest friends. We may not get to see each other very often, but when we do it's as if we were never apart. Over the years there have been a few trips for weddings, baby showers, reunions and such, but not many. And yet, we keep up.

As I travel to Texas this week, I am very much looking forward to seeing many of these "Lovely Girls" who are so graciously taking time out of their busy schedules to chat and laugh and remember our glory days.

My Brother

Texas is also where my brother lives again after an extended foray in Alaska. My brother, who I haven't seen in three years, is picking me up from the airport today. We chat on the phone, but we haven't physically been in the same location for THREE YEARS. I used to wonder how it was that families went years without seeing each other, and now I know. It's called limited finances, tight schedules and long distances. He lives in southeast Texas and that makes for a great many miles between these two siblings.

My brother still calls me Sis or Sissy more often than he calls me Anna. He's my little brother, and there have been many times over the years he has thought me boring. He likes to think we are quite different, but we're not.

We both have a charming wit about us {it's true}. We both have a sense of adventure and realize the importance of pursuing our passions, if we could just figure out how to make money while exploring these passions. We both have hair of the darkest brown just right before brown turns to black; this color is the combination of our two parents' genes, neither of which has such rich brown hair. We both analyze, question and have opinions about everything. This causes a few good-natured clashes between the two of us every now and then.

We both love animals. We feel emotions deep in our souls even when it doesn't show on our faces. We have inside jokes about our parents and each other. We are sister and brother, bonded for life. But I'll always be the big sister.

So, here I come, Texas; home of the 10 gallon hat and personalities to match; land of some of the friendliest people in the world, matched only by the good people of Tennessee and the countrymen of Greece, based on my limited, but genuine experience.; my homeland; my heritage. Over and out...

Anna

Comments

[Julie H]

Love this! I can't wait to see you!!

[Heidi]

Can already hear the thick twang building in your voice. Have a great trip!