December 19, 2016
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Looking Local
With the cold weather I question my desire to remain in the Midwest. My siblings are located in Georgia/Florida and in Pennsylvania. Among Sparky's siblings, five of six live in our town. The eldest lives in Montana having just this summer relocated from Maryland. She speaks of stunning vistas of snow capped mountains, forested valleys and starry skies so clear that you can count each and every point of light. But the thing is, and I think most of Sparky's siblings have realized it, where you live is not decided by the weather or the view out the kitchen window. It really is all about where your heart is located. I toy with the idea of moving to a warmer locale and then I realize that both of my sons live less that 5 minutes away. Almost all of Sparky's immediate family live close enough to gather on Sunday evenings for ice cream and jigsaw puzzles. We have very close friends that live around the corner - literally and figuratively. There are people we love who if we were to move to Arizona, Nevada, Texas or Florida we might not see more than once a year if we were lucky.
Every time I list the pros and cons of living through another winter in Michiana I come out with a lopsided list. There are so many reasons to move to a warm place but that one reason not to leave tips the scales and we stay. The old saying "home is where your heart is" is oh so true. I can't leave until there is no one left here that I hold in my heart. Looks like I'm going to be remaining locally for a long time. Not so bad really. I've got a thick bath robe, fuzzy slippers, flannel pajamas, fleece sheets, multiple thermal comforters, space heaters, hand warmers, and my family. I think I'll be warm enough to survive another Michiana winter! Lake effect snow or not!
Comments (12)
Yes, I know exactly what you mean! I would miss my family so much if we moved south even for the winter. Someday we might. Old people live longer where it's warmer, I think.
I'm not so sure about living longer in warm climates. I think you live longer if you have love in your life and in your heart...
Right now I'm wondering why we didn't go back to Calif. when we left Africa. It's too late for me now........5 of my kids, and a bunch of grandkids and great grands live here. I'm thankful for warm clothes, blankets, a good heater, and family to drive me places when the roads are bad.
I toy with the idea of moving south but when you get really hot, you can only take off so much clothing. Whereas in the cold you can just keep putting on more!
Sweet! That is the best reason....warms one just thinking about it. I moved but only had one cousin in town who never seemed interested in becoming closer altho' I often tried to arrange meeting for lunch or something so wasn't so hard for me to move away although I miss my church friends.
Friends are precious but you can get more of them if you smile... I imagine that you've made some new friends in PA. If you decide to travel you can visit with friends in multiple places!
I know what you mean. For awhile, I used to move around like a gypsy, then I found this town and although I've contemplated leaving a few times, when it comes time to, something happens. I guess my crappy little town is home. =) Try travelling more to these warmer places to cure your traveller's/relocation itch.
Indeed we do travel but no matter where we go home is always the same - I just can't imagine a place with people as nice.
Having married a military man I know well the home is where your heart is. Admitting of course I missed PA and family there. Then it seemed I learned some of them didn't really miss my absence. I have not heard from my remaining brother and sister since mom died.
That is so sad that your siblings have distanced themselves. Family is really important to me and doubly for Sparky. I don't know what he'd do if his family was all far away!
I have mixed feelings about going south this winter too ~ may go for a couple weeks ~
It is nice to get away but just as nice to return home. I'm anxious that the weather will hold for the driving portions of the trip.
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