To the People of Michigan.
“Home is not where you live, but where they understand you.” – Christian Morganstern
***
My cousin, Molly and my aunt, Cathy.
About 6 years ago…
I left the State of Michigan after graduating from Michigan State University hungry to see other parts of the world and also with embarrassingly some youthful snobbishness. ”I am better than this state!” was my attitude.
At first, I had little interest in visiting Michigan on my journey. I wanted to connect with all my friends and family here, yes, but I was so excited to wander to places I have yet to explore! So upon entering I was filled with a bit of boredom and regret and my head was dreaming of California and the Rockies and Maine.
My Chore that turned into a Blessing.
It almost seemed like Michigan was the chore I had to DO, before I could continue on my journey.
In my travels, when I ask people about their home town or home state, most will predominantly begin by telling you what is wrong with the place. This how I felt about Michigan.
I was planning my stay in Michigan to be about 2 weeks. Tops! But now, over a month later, as I leave my home state, I feel a renewed connection to the place that I grew up in. Also, a renewed connection to old friends and family. Similar to feeling like I have revisited an old girlfriend, whom I had bad vibes with and we smoothed it out.
My Family.
I loved spending time with my family through a challenging family event. Helping my grandparents move across the country to live in a new place. I thought at times my family may implode, yet through the differences in opinion and discussions about where they should live or who should help them; my family still can eat massive quantities of meat and sing, “Afternoon Delight” together!
My Friends.
I visited some friends whom I had not seen in close to 10 years. Friends whom I used to run track with in high school. It was awesome to witness how close a bond we have and how after a long period of time, that it still returns.
I met so many new friends, whom I am so thankful to now have in my life! People whom I am very interested to watch how our lives will intertwine in the future.
Leaving.
I leave Michigan more connected to my roots and feeling like as I jump around the country and maybe the world in the coming years, that I have a solid, loving, and stable platform to leap from.
Thank you to everyone!
I love you!
Create Our World.
Ben.
“Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave and grow old wanting to get back to.” – John Ed Pearce
Tags: adventure travel blog, Benjamin Jenks, create our world, hitchhiking, michigan, roadtrip around the USA
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