When I was young, I dreamed of living in a big city, traveling the world, meeting exciting people and having a fancy job title. The last thing I wanted was to spend the rest of my life in my hometown and become a “townie”. So I set off to college, met my future husband, and moved away from home.
But then reality set in. Jet-setting around the world costs money, and the big city wasn’t where I wanted to raise a family, so we settled into our first home in a town just like the one where I grew up. And with the arrival of my first child, the fancy job title didn’t seem quite so important anymore.
As I focused on raising my kids, my dreams changed. I wanted more for them than I wanted for myself. So travel and work took a back seat and I became more and more comfortable with my small town life, a life which consisted of household chores and running errands.
And each day, as I make my rounds, I am greeted by the manager at the local bagel shop, who knows my name and asks about my family. I walk into Starbucks and my Zen tea is already waiting for me because the baristers know my drink of choice, and Mike at the deli prepares my turkey sandwich just how I like it.
And I realize that the thing I didn’t want to happen has happened. I have become a townie, and you know what? That’s not such a bad thing after all…
Isn't it funny how we often want to get away from where we have grown up and then when we look back, it's with a lot of love actually. A lot of appreciation for good, solid people who genuinely cared for us.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in a super tiny Canadian prairie town and I tell you, I could not wait to leave! As it turned out I did and am now somewhere else trying to get comfortable with a new life but when I look back on that town, I know it was a good place to be. I look back now and am so glad I grew up there, was known there and I think yes, now I am far away but I value where I came from.
Deborah, I am so glad you are happy where you are. That is a great gift in this life! Not many achieve that I think!
I really like this post! I agree it is no bad thing to belong!
Have a great weekend and please keep writing! I love it!:) Although I don't think I'll have access to the computer next week but rest assured I'll be back here reading the following week! (Haha, that actually sounds like a threat but you know what I mean!!:)
Love C
I grew up on a farm in rural Minnesota and I couldn't wait to get off the farm..I have experienced living in the big city and realized it wasn't where I wanted to raise my children..and so for the most part have lived in a small town or in the country...here I am living in a small town and really wishing to move back out into the country and actually raise animals again...lol.
ReplyDeleteLiving where everyone knows your name has it's value...living where it is fairly safe and my little ones can play outside is a bonus too.
I am so happy you are happy right where are you! Love and hugs...happy weekend!
It sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies, for your comments. I agree Colleen how we so badly want to fly the coop then miss it when we are gone. I am trying to focus on appreciating the things I enjoy rather than focusing on the things I think I'm missing and its working! Lori, I am happy right where I am right now, sometimes status quo is just perfect.
ReplyDeleteMe too Deborah, me too. I realize I actually have developed a bit of a problem with that...thinking about things I am possibly missing and it really steals the joy from the present moment! I don't want to live like that!!
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