January 21, 2010
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Home
As I prepare for college in another state, I am beginning to say goodbye to my high school friends. Many of them are going to a university in the same state as their highschool, gradeschool, preschool, even birth. They meet up in their home town with lifelong friends to play pool and share stories. They know all the streets and alleys; where the best BBQ can be found; what park has the best climbing trees; the quickest route to everyone’s house. Many of their neighbors can fondly recount stories of them as reckless teenagers, and they may run into their second grade teacher at church. Some have never moved to a different house or transferred schools. Most have had the same classmates their entire life. A number of my very close friends plan on moving back to their home town when they finish school and marrying someone they’ve known since diaper days, raising yet another generation in the same place.
For people like me, this comfort will never been known. My parents were both enlisted in the Air Force. While I’ve been lucky enough to attend the same high school all four years, it is my 8th school thus far. Each move to a different state, province, or country provided me an opportunity to start over. Each school meant being the out cast (again) and slowly making new friends (again) – only to lose them (again) in a year or two. With every new town or city, it may mean a new language or culture to try and learn and understand. Most of the time my parents were gone. This experience, however, has also exposed me to different cultures and peoples which I have come to appreciate. Opportunities which were denied to my friends who have spent their lives in the same place. The military life has also inspired within me a deep love of my country and of its history, and I see my parents as shining examples of who I want to be. Although I have no lifelong friends, nor a place on the map to pinpoint and say “Here! This is my town, this is where I come from,” maybe I still do have a home. It’s a little bigger than my classmates, and it stretches from the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee; across the plains of Texas; from sea to shining sea…
Have you lived in the same area all of your life? What is your definition of home?
Comments (7)
There are benefits and disadvantages to both types of childhoods, as you so eloquently pointed out. I love how you’ve reflected. Looking back. Looking forward. The end of high school is such an exciting time. I remember it like it was yesterday. Great post sweetie!
@ItsWhatEyeKnow - Swim all the way
I’m a 100 flyer and 200 IMer. And thank you for the kind feedback – this has been a subject that’s been bothering me for a while now. 
Were you on swim team or gymnastics? My daughter’s swim team was state champs this year. We just got her trophy today. (They weren’t in in time for the banquet.)
I would rather move around. I don’t like staying in the same place. Someone told me once I get married I’ll want to settle down, but I’m not convinced. But that is me.
As for how much it matters, I’d say it doesn’t so much where you were, only where you are going.
I have never left California and have been a homebody most of my life so far. San Diego being very diverse also helped me interact with all walks of life. I see a home is a place where you can never feel unwelcome. Money can buy you a house, but not a home. You know? :0)
I have a friend whose father was in the military and she went to 15 different schools before graduating — she only was in the school she graduated from for 4 months. It was insane. She really appreciates her life though, because it made her really competitive and outgoing.
As for me.. I’ve pretty much grown up in the same atmosphere all my life. Not in the same house, but always with the same people. I lived with my grandparents for a little while, then with my other grandparents, and in several different houses — but I was always with my family. But to me…home is more transcendent than that. Home is about love, the right people, comfort, coffee, and cats.
I hope you enjoy your collegiate experience. I’m thoroughly enjoying my time in college and it’s my sincere wish that every person have an equally pleasant experience.
@phantomFive - I agree on moving around. As much as having a home town sounds nice, I couldn’t live in the same place.
@BlissfulRedemption - Yes
I think its great that you were able to grow up in such a diverse and fun place too.
@inconceivable_alicia - I love your description of home, and thank you