A random pretty picture that came on my new computer... and made me homesick. As much as I love Ohio, I started lifed in California, Richmond, right across this bridge from San Francisco. It's been a very long time, and many states, in between that childhood of beaches, swimming pools, water ski's and sunshine...
If I learned only one thing (and I actually learned many) by moving many, many times when I was growing up, it is that people are the same everywhere. They just put emphasis on different things. Even in the 60's when I was growing up, California emphasis was on appearance. Kids were still hassled about grades, sunday school and the condition of their room, but foremost was instruction in grooming, fashion and fitness. Our first move was to Maryland, culture shock, their emphasis was on education and work, then all the other things. Pennsylvania - the state of your spirit, Indiana - how athletic are you?, North Carolina - manners, manners, manners. In every state, we adapted, changed our family dynamic and blended in. It was especially easy for me, I believe I'm one part magpie (my love of shiny things), one part chameleon.
I wonder, though, if someone trained in psychiatry would look differently at this lack of seperation anxiety? It would have been excellent early training for a con man.
10 comments:
In all my moves I never noticed the things you point out. Of course as a Lutheran Pastor I should have known that since we believe that all people sin. The sins are just different. Pride in one place. Greed in another.
I think the vast majority of people are kind and wherever you go you can find people with like minds and interests as yourself. Only the scenery changes.
As long as your children were with you and you kept a sense of family idenity together, you need have no worries about the con man training! Attachment disorders are caused by the loss of people, not places.
P.S. My family moved a great deal when I was a child - one coast to the other and several spots in between. Observed many of the same phenomena!
As a pastor, Dr. John, perhaps staying in the same denomination church through all the moves kept you in contact with the people everywhere who's focus was spiritual.
Quite right Dave, there are wonderful people everywhere!
I've lived in Ohio twice, Janet, once for a short time as a child, and now as an adult. Ohio people focus on community and family. This is the only place I've lived where I share space at an art show with everyone from a surgeons wife to a fella that walked off the north forty to get there.
My parents must have been on the ball Dr. Kate, luckily none of us really did come out as con men!
Kat, you made me think. The subject matter of your post isn't something I was consciously aware of - but when I stopped and thought about it - you are right. Different geographic area, different emphasis. And even those emphasis change...by generation/etc. Interesting! Thanks.
I'm enough of a geek that the very words "new computer" got me all excited! Hope you're enjoying it!
Glad I could contribute to some new brain activity Jackie!
Thanks for coming by w.j.! I am loving the new computer: first flat screen, first tower so tiny I can fit it on the desk!
Well, Kat - now I've been trying to think of how to characterize New Yorkers. Ever live here? I wonder what others say about us. I know NYC recently came in as #1 for lowest crime rate in a big city, brag, brag.
I think NYers tend to be "compartmentalized." You put your NY subway face on and go about your own business. I think because the City is so crowded, it's the only way to have your own space - and to give space to others. When forced to interact, however, I have found most NYers to be good people.
Kat, Kat, Kat - Mac laptop is only way to go! Maybe for your next system - meanwhile enjoy your new one :-)
Ohio sucks.
My wife and I drove to Cleveland for a family wedding, and we freaking hated the whole damn state.
The only time Ohio looked good to me was in a rearview mirror. Sorry.
The Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame was a tourist trap, an the food made me fart.
I've never lived in NY, Sunflower, but we used to visit often for plays and shopping when I was a teenager. They were always fun trips, but the crush of people every time you left the hotel was what I remember most.
Crashtest - I suspect there isn't much of anywhere that would measure up to your expectations. Thanks for stopping by anyway.
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