To there and back again

My trip took a slightly unexpected pit stop through Chicago, to visit my best friend.  Chicago is one of those towns that you can never really get tired of, because there is something everywhere to surprise you.  

My friend actually lives close to an hour outside of Chicago in a small town called Benton Harbor, MI.  A small rural town, that closely reminds me of my own hometown.  It's full of small watering holes, community pride and all of those things that would make Norman Rockwell proud.


It was good to come by here after being in Manhattan for a week. I like to think of this as a "detox", even though every place I've been has asked, "Will this be smoking or non-smoking?"  It's been fifteen years since I'd heard that in California. 


The part I've enjoyed about my time here is seeing the diversity of people, in someplace where most assume there is none. It's been nice to see so many facets of this small town.  It's really humbling to see what people can and cannot live with out, when most of us believe that we need ALL of it, ALL the time.


And, while gasoline is still expensive, drinks are cheap!  Perhaps that is the way that most people cope with things, is to drink themselves into some sort of oblivion. If I would have stayed in my small town that I grew up in, I'm not sure that I would have ever taken the opportunity to see all that the world as to offer.  Today it dawned on me when I was introduced as the "World Traveler".  I thought it was a funny moniker, but perhaps its somewhat true.


Way back when, I did have dreams before obligations.  I had hoped my dreams would have reached fruition out of high school, but instead they've taken their sweet time to come to life which is just fine.  I'm happier that I've had some time to live in a variety of situations that have led me to the now.  


The assumption however that I would not be prepared or okay with being in a small farm town, a neighboorhood that is considered "lower end", or somewhere that isn't considered the top of the rung- is not the correct assumption to make.  It's in those type of places that took experiences that happened (nearly evicted, a murder next to my apartment, growing up on a farm..) allow me to appreciate it now.  It's always good to be in touch with your roots.


This was a good way to end a long vacation.  I head back to San Francisco tomorrow- hopefully with Wi-Fi on the flight! Ha!  I have a plenty to think about.  Some of it has already been put into motion, so whatever will be- will be.


I'm sincerely thankful to have a minute to put it all together.  I needed this.