Asking someone where they are from seems like a simple question that should provide a one-word answer. Unfortunately for me, that isn't the case.
Through my childhood/teenage years I lived most of my life in Provo, and part of my life in Albuquerque. When I graduated high school and went to BYU my parents proceeded to move all over the country. Well, not really but it felt like it! Therefore, whenever it came time to go "home" for the summer or for Christmas break, I wasn't going back to the place I grew up, I was going to wherever my family lived at the time. While this helped me grow closer to my family I missed having that sense of going home to a place that was familiar and that I knew like the back of my hand.
But that's all changed. My parents 'settled' down in Pocatello back in 1998-and have actually stayed there (kind of) since then. The ward they were in became mine as I left for my mission from that ward, and then when I returned I decided to live in Pocatello and go to ISU for my nursing degree. I got to know Pocatello really well from doing title inspections and working for a doctor's office where I could interact with a lot of people from the community. It became my home.
Now that I've moved back to Utah, I love coming home to Idaho. It's the sense of familiarity that I enjoy. I love that I see people I recognize when I go out and run errands, I love that I know shortcuts to get from point A. to point B., most of all I love our house and the fact that it represents love and family.
It was also hard (and still is) when people ask me where I'm from-initially I stuck by my old standby of Provo since I've lived there the most number of years, but let's be honest, Idaho has become my home and I'm proud of it!
2 comments:
Pocatello will always be home...you said it perfectly!! I love you!
My friend Kimber is an Idaho native--you guys have dedication. Home can be lots of places, but is it always where the heart is!
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