I can see why people love this city and yet don’t stay in this city. There are so many things to be said about the vibrancy and attractions along with the friendliness and smiles. However, it seems as though many leave in search of ‘more’.
I live on the outskirts of a city (which will remain un-named for safety reasons) that is beautiful and that, over the years, I have grown to love with a love that one can only get by immersing themselves and planting roots into a city. I have lived here for 12 years after growing up in a somewhat larger city miles and miles away. I left family and friends, and the devotion that I had to my “hometown”, I thought, was life. However, life took me on a different path than I had planned.
I moved here with the thoughts of moving back after a couple of years. Life circumstances caused that plan to drag out and then become non-existent. And to be completely honest, I am glad that life went differently than originally anticipated. I love this city.
I love this city with a love that is deep and unyielding. I see the myriad of positive attributes that this gorgeous, vibrant city possesses. It is large enough to be important enough to add to the map, but small enough to feel like a family. I don’t feel out of place anywhere here. The different neighborhoods that one would think are separate little entities in and of themselves seem to spill into each other mixing together like paint on a canvas being artistically placed in such a way as to bring out the artist’s heart. So I guess in a way, this city is the breath-taking ‘painting’ that I am fortunate to have been added to – a masterpiece of unparalleled proportions that deserves all of the rewards and accolades one could possibly have.
My sons are able to reap the benefits of a childhood and adolescence of living with so much growth and diversity. My husband was born and raised here. So I reap the benefit of his knowledge and childhood experiences. He knows the best spots to eat, great nights out, relaxing areas to just sit and chill, and various other escapades one could have in life. Also, I just remembered, in addition to the different socioeconomic lines that are blurred, I also feel as though the activities for various typical age groups are kind of muddled as well. Maybe that is just the stage of life I am in, though.
I am in the transitory stage of life meaning that I am old enough to have an adult son and young enough that I have three elementary aged sons. I am in this ‘in-between’ stage of life that I can go out for an evening with my husband and have fun while the kids are at their grandparents’ house for the night. And I am also in that stage where I would rather walk around the museum or art gallery and think of random back stories for the former owner of an exhibit (whether they be true accounts of events or not makes no difference – it is fun to imagine). And I am in a city that accommodates these lifestyles without being looked down on. These lifestyles, as well as many others, are embraced and celebrated in various ways.
All of that to say, I am happy with where I live.
Gotta go fill up my cup…..
Coffee with Candee 