Nearly Christmas

One week until Christmas in Romania, and on my heart is gratitude.

I just returned from saying good-bye to the last North American I will see in this region until next year. A colleague walked me back through the dark streets to my apartment, and as we tossed snow glittering gold under the yellow street lights, I would not have chosen to be any other place.

Though I will ever be a foreigner, nearly half a year here finds me less a stranger. All the relationships I've formed with Romanians have woven me into this place, and among the threads, I have found a home.

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