I’ve been having a good time visiting family. It’s always good to see them, and especially good to see them in teh continental US. Don’t get me wrong - I LOVED Hawai’i, and would drop everything to go back, but I’ll tell you what. It’s infinitely easier and more enjoyable to fly an hour instead of 15.
This is the first time I’ve flown to see my family since they’re back from HI. As I was packing for the trip, I started piling up books and stacks of DVDs to take in my carry-ons. David watched me for a few minutes, and when I asked him for help fitting everything into a bookbag, he reminded me that I wasn’t going to be flying for 15 hours. =) I happily took out the stacks of books and DVDs and wow… it’s great having a feather-light carry-on!
So, anyway, I’ve been here with my family for a week. When I visit, we typically pack the time full of visits from and to family friends. Those meetings are always wonderful - I don’t keep in touch with folks as well as I should. I have all these great intentions, but I never seem to have time to follow through. The good thing is, these people watched me grow up (as much as any non-family member has ever done, anyway - being a military brat, not too many people get to know me past 2 or 3 years). They know me well enough to know I love them even though I don’t call or write. It’s great.
What isn’t great, though, is the thought of running into folks I went to high school with. I DREAD the experience, and I know it’s just bound to happen. Each visit to my parents increases the odds that I’ll run into someone I know. For some reason, small towns have always made me feel trapped - like if I wasn’t careful, I’d get sucked in and never escape. I watched it happen to people who were older than me, and I couldn’t wait to get out.
I really like who I am now. I really like my life. I don’t want to go back. High school wasn’t the height of my life. It wasn’t the best thing that ever happened to me. I’ve moved on. And I don’t really want to talk to or meet anyone who hasn’t.
That said, there are some old classmates that I REALLY enjoy seeing. Sarah Camp (I’m so sorry about Joe!). Sarah Green (thanks for having lunch with me!). Adam Donius (I’m SO glad you came back to see if it was me - congrats on the baby!).
It’s been a good trip. =)
Comments
I came from a small town too. Couldn’t agree more. There are two types of “small towners” - those that can’t imagine leaving and those that can’t wait. I was definitely the latter.
loved seeing you : ) it was great. and, i feel the same way about high school… ironic since i’m dating a guy from our high school : )
Hmmm…I had several thoughts while I was reading this post. One is that I grew up in a small town and thought I’d never enjoy going back home, but now I do. There is comfort in the folks from long ago who still remember and care - I mean neighbors and church friends, not school friends. (I didn’t really have any of those, just acquaintances.) It was an amazing comfort to discover, when my father died, that word spread quickly and people everywhere were expressing their sympathy to us. What a blessing!
Second, I believe big cities can suck people in, too, just in a different way. Sucked in by finding “safety” in relative anonymity, etc. Or trapped by circumstance. Personally, I feel sucked in/trapped by Anderson and would like to be elsewhere, but this is where God has placed us, so I manage the best I can to serve the Kingdom here.
Third, I don’t think everyone who is still in their home town is necessarily “sucked in.” My sister still lives back home. It’s just where she & her husband found work after college. They have forged a new and productive life there. I wouldn’t dare say she hasn’t “moved on,” because she has. Just not physically.
Fourth observation: I think small-town people tend to be more “real” (read: “genuine”) than city people. I appreciate that. The best years of my life so far were in small-town Hurricane, WV. I still miss it.
Now, would I ever be happy moving back to Cambridge? I don’t really think so. But could I move to another small town somewhere near there or here or WV? You bet!
-
Photos
More Photos