Edmonton, Alberta (Canada): I just finished the book "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. I'm not a huge book reader, but this one drew me in, held my hand and walked me through this woman's spiritual and physical journey. At times, I felt as though I was reading over her shoulder as she was writing and she would look up at me to smile and say, '"would you like to know more about finding yourself? you're not the only one who goes through this, you know."
There's so many poignant parts I want to discuss (and at some point, maybe I will), but one line from the book caught my attention and made me gasp aloud.
"But you aren't a little lost girl. You're a woman with a career, with ambition. You are a perfect snail: you carry your home on your back. You should hold on to that freedom for as long as possible."
Over the last year, the question of "where is home?" has been weighing heavily on my mind. When I finish a tour, I look forward to the break, but wonder, "where do I feel most comfortable?" Nashville has been my home for almost five years now, but the city is wrapped up with memories of a previous tour, a former love and discovering the meaning of real growing pains. Omaha is the place I grew up, but I don't feel it being time to return full circle there. I find it interesting that the time I feel most at home is on the road... a new landscape, a new room number, a new country flag... all of these things are somehow comforting to me. For now, I focus on home being in my heart and trying not to obsess so much on the physical location of where life may lead me next.
So when I read this quote, not only did the idea of "carrying your home on your back" make so much sense to me, but it hit me in an even more personal way because of my last name. Growing up, I was teased about my last name (as most kids are) mainly with original jokes like Smell and Smelly. However, one that I never understood (which made me even madder) was Snail. Carolyn Snail. Were they saying I was slow? Did they view me like a bug? Was I reading too much into it and it simply just sounded like Snell? (I know, I know....)
But when I read the line in "Eat, Pray, Love," I suddenly realized that I HAVE been the snail all my life! It was something to embrace! I carry my home on my back so that I am able to travel and roam and explore and nothing is going to tie me down. So to Nick Tomasek and Adolfo Hernandez and Lance Hansen.... thank you for giving me the nickname that would stay with me forever - literally.
PS - Although I may be the snail, I'm definitely sticking with snellycat. Somehow snaillycat just doesn't cut it.
PPS - For the record, I'm happy with my home on my back, I'm also not opposed to a flat in London, a beach house in Byron Bay or a piece of land in the mountains somewhere.
