A Sense of Place

A family member visiting my house recently wondered what on earth I like about living in my home town village. Those enjoying the benefits of city or suburban life might be baffled by the decision to leave it all behind for the slower paced lifestyle of a small town. Members of 12 Step programs are warned not to count on a "geographic solution" to one's problems, and I agree, at least in part. Wherever you go, there you are, and your problems with addiction, or marital turmoil, or tensions with family members will not just disappear because you change location.

In fact, some problems could be even worse. I moved here instead of to the city where my family of origin lives, and that is now apparently a soar spot. But here in my home town I have many extended family members, and family was something I really missed while living in Columbus. Also, friends were very spread out all over the city, so it would take about 20 minutes to drive to see anyone, often in congested traffic, and it wasn't feasible therefore to just drop in on someone. You might drive all that way and find them not at home! Making plans around people's hectic schedules was difficult. So while we lived among millions, we felt isolated.

A sense of place and community can be found in a small town. It is safer, cleaner, and much, much more quiet. Nature is available in mere minutes, and we know that time in nature is crucial to well being and good health. And we do have culture. We aren't just a bunch of hicks! My town opened an ArtSpace to feature local artists and offer a place for entertainment and education. The county fair grounds are in my town, and so is the county Historical Society. History and genealogy are popular cultural interests here. The cost of living is also much lower. The historic home I live in here would have been half a million dollars in Columbus. And our Parks and Recreation department and library provide many wonderful programs for children and adults at affordable prices.

It is in this town that all of my grandparents live, and that alone would be a good enough reason to be here. But in addition, I met Mary, Mother of my Lord, in this town. I found the Catholic Church and finally feel that I am experiencing the fullness of the Christian faith. We are part of a homeschooling community, and the Vintage Homes Club, and I am the secretary for our chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I teach belly dancing, which I most likely would not have done in the city, and my troupe is enthusiastically received everywhere we perform. We have very good friends who we spend quality time with. The neighborhood children flock to my house!

Life is fuller, richer, and more meaningful for having moved to an area with a strong sense of place, of history, of belonging. There have been bumps in the road, to be sure. Sometimes people, especially family, can become a little too involved in my life, and they do not realize that after living away for decades, they do not know me the way they think they do, and vice versa. Relationships take time, effort, compassion, and understanding to develop and grow. And there are those who live here and do not have much of a life, so other people's business becomes too much of a focus. Nowhere is perfect. But sometimes the geographic solution to problems is not such a bad idea. Some places resonate with us. They feel like home.