There’s No Place Like Home

I read a survey result today that surprised me. It stated that only one third of adults live in the same area in which they grew up. Two out of every three adults moved away from their hometown areas. In addition, 50% of adults have lived in two to four different states! I feel like a slacker, a homebody, and an unadventurous dullard.

I write this morning as my oldest and dearest friend, Christy Haydt, is preparing to move permanently from Walnutport to Clearwater, Florida. He will move into the group of the survey that I sometimes envy, the people that have left their childhood homes.

I’ve been lucky that I have, through a job, gotten to see most areas of our great country. I’ve seen many places that I would love to live. I loved the pace and the food and the kindness of America’s South. Baton Rouge was amazing. I loved the landscapes and the environmental caring and, yes, even the rain of the Pacific Northwest. The Columbia River Gorge is something I will never forget. I loved New England’s woods and rocky coasts. Bar Harbor, yes please! I could easily fit into the groove of Northern California. To see snow topped Mount Shasta every morning would be wonderful. My absolute favorite region is the Northern Great Lakes. Duluth is a fabulous city, sitting terraced above Lake Superior. Yet, here I sit in Schnecksville, PA looking out over a field that will soon be yet another warehouse.

I think there are two reasons I never moved from the Lehigh Valley. The two Fs. Family and Fear. Let me explain.

I love my family. My siblings live here. Even though I do not see them as often as I could, it would be difficult to be a thousand miles away. My kids are here! I love watching them grow. My grandchildren are here. I can’t imagine hearing about their milestones from a distance.

Fear. So why am I afraid to move away? I don’t mind being alone, so that’s not it. I’m not afraid of not being able to fit in. I love to explore any area I am in. I am afraid of getting sick and losing my freedom. What if I get cancer and need rides to get chemo? Who will give me a ride home from that dreaded colonoscopy? It comes down to that.

So, you are stuck with me here in the Lehigh Valley. And, I know, it is more than just warehouses. It has a lot to offer. I’ll continue to explore every facet of our area and when I get home I will watch videos of the Great Lakes and the Columbia River Gorge! And dream.