“Books and articles have been written about reverse culture shock. The identity crisis. . . . I find this state of consciousness intriguing rather than distressing. The thrill of disorientation and shattered perceptions. Besides, I never fit in to begin with.” J.D. Riso returns home after 19 years of a nomadic life.

Team USA Paralympian Andrew Kurka writes on his hopes for PyeongChang: “There are so many responsibilities, so many thoughts, and so much good I want to do. When looking at it all, the journey, the sacrifice, the glory.”

“I remember going for a walk in the woods behind my house instead, finding this tree and carving my initials into it, pressing the sadness and rejection into its innocent bark.” At Kindred, Kerstin Pless Grant recalls being 14 and rediscovers a tree she had hoped to return to someday.

An essay on escape and self-discovery by Regina Belmonte: “There is no race to relevance here, nothing to live up to, and no ladders to climb — just a gentle shift from one day to another, and a train or two to catch to the next destination. Breathing room, and space to explore myself…”

Joséphine Mwanvua on the difficulty of asking for help as a person of color: “Here, in the West, black communities and other POC communities still carry a taboo around mental health issues.”

At Croissants & Conjugations, Jessica Journey refines her French speaking skills: “Sometimes, even now, a notable language mistake or inability to communicate will make me feel like a child. But maybe that’s not so bad. Babies have a big, beautiful world in front of them, full of unknowns, ripe for the exploring.”

“Of all the things that I am sure about, I am sure that my perception does not describe the reality, it is only my reality.” At A Light Circle, M.P. Baecker writes a thoughtful, poignant essay on self-centeredness and awareness.

“For much of my life, I’ve thought that it hasn’t mattered that I’m Jewish, that it in no way changes how I live in the world… Now I think it matters a lot that I’m Jewish. Though it has nothing to do with what I believe — and everything to do with what other people believe. They think I’m different.”

Western philosophy clashes with Rebecca Schuman’s birth plan in her hilarious, harrowing Longreads essay.

“I couldn’t cry during the flood, but I did beg. Please God, just don’t let my kids lose their home. Because I know what it’s like to not be able to go home.” Anna left her home in the Soviet Union at age 7; her daughter Alma fled Harvey’s floodwaters at the same age.

“I’m coming back to writing today to peer down the silent well.” Author Amanda Mininger on the cyclical nature of self-expression, and what drives us back to the written word time after time.

“Memories accumulated as we marked milestones and anniversaries. We grew older together in this house . . . but we grew happier, too.” Heide reflects on selling and letting go of her home of 20 years.

Jess and Graham’s aging Rhodesian Ridgeback, Bromley, has been a difficult dog to get close to: “she’s a miserable, loveless creature with no need to please anyone.” But after a bone cancer scare, they finally figure out how to love her.

Ashlin Horne on love: “It isn’t an illusion of stability that we can fit inside of cabinets and between four walls. That won’t keep us in the arms of another person. It isn’t just forty years of furniture and picture frames that keep it together.”

“In the end, the basic ingredients of existence never falter, whether you’re flying business or red-eye economy, or staying home.” Erin at outerNotes reflects on the lifestyle of a worldly jet-setter and wonders whether she’s “made it.”