Iowa has become the place I call home. My family moved to Cedar Falls when I was nine, and it took a long time to feel rooted in Iowa soil. But, the more I move and travel, the more tied to Iowa I feel.
In fact, I'm proud to claim Iowa as my home. I feel like the people of Iowa are generous, honest and hardworking — all characteristics that I aspire to have.
Iowa is also the place where I get to see some of the people who are most dear to me. This past weekend, my best friend from grade school came back to Iowa for a visit. We've been friends for 18 years. (That makes me feel old!)
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Whitney became my very first friend in Iowa...
18 years later. |
Our time together was short because I needed to drive my father to the Cedar Rapids airport. (He's attending a symposium in Rio de Janeiro.) Then, I went on to Iowa City to spend time with my sister Catarina and her JJ — another brief but delightful visit. Here's a little review of our morning.
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| Deluxe coffee shop |
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JJ needed a little caffeine after hosting a beer tasting
of his homebrew the preview night. |
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| Cappuccinos and breakfast |
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| Miles practices delayed gratification. |
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| After dropping Cat off at dental school, JJ, Miles and I went to the lake. |
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| Miles worked off his muffin with a little fetch. |
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| He had some company in the shallows. Fortunately, this guy kept to himself. |
My time in Iowa is drawing to a close. Next week I'll head East. If the past three weeks are any indication of the summer to come, I can't wait.
Iowa is a well kept secret. I am blessed to have been transplanted into its deep, rich soils almost two decades ago. I have reached down roots, leafed out leaves to nourish and on occasion have flowered in splendor and delight.
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