Over the river and through the wood,
to Grandfather’s house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
for ‘tis Thanksgiving Day.
Heading home for Thanksgiving. I grew up in Phillips, Wisconsin. I moved away 28 years ago. My parents live 15 miles west of Phillips on our family farm. We visit often.
A friend of mine recently traveled through my hometown and sent me this photo with the following text. "Carla, this is where you grew up? It is so beautiful!"
And it is. Lakes, rivers, county forest land and more.
I live where I do now because of my husbands career. I never would have thought to move here, but I am glad I did. I did not think that when my husband said we were moving to Cameron, Wisconsin. I did not want to move away from my hometown. It was hard for me to leave family, friends and what I knew and loved.
We grew as a couple when we arrived here in Cameron. We had no family close by, no friends and no clue of the community. We learned. We learned, sometimes very slowly about the new community we live in. We made friends, who are now treasures. My husband excelled in his career. We raised a family and they have now flew the coop to a new city to learn on their own. We gave back and continue to do so in our community we call home for now.
How about you? Do you live in the community you were born and raised?
Do you have a desire to move back to your hometown or state?
It was interesting to read about where you grew up and then where and why you moved. I loved reading about how you adapted to your new city without knowing anyone. I have so many mixed emotions about where I grew up in rural Indiana. I loved it in many ways but it was filled with sorrow with a very sickly brother and a dad who was sick and died when I was still quite young. I´m glad I grew up where I did but have no desire to live there now. I feel like I am where I´m supposed to be, if that makes sense. Happy Monday!
ReplyDeleteThis was fun this morning Carla. learning about where you grew up and the adventures of moving away from your hometown. I was born in a doctors office in a very small town.. I now live just 8 miles from there. Sam was from the next town over (where we live now) and we have been here 53 years.
ReplyDeleteI have not only moved states but I have also moved countries. Leaving everyone behind and starting anew. I don't think I want to do it now.. my husband mentions job offers in other states and countries but I am finally comfortable with the friends I have and I can't think of having to make new ones again.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Michigan and my heart has always been there. I moved to Illinois when I was in college and met Terry and we settled here and have raised our girls here. We have thought many times about moving to Michigan since we go there so much and now my daughter and SIL and little grandson live there but we still have our life long friends and my other daughter and grands here. We are not ready to leave just yet. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hugs Kris
ReplyDeleteI loved hearing your story, Carla. I didn't know your parents had a family farm, that's wonderful. You took all the knowledge that you were raised with and started a family of your own in an unfamiliar town, and now it's a special town to you. We do seem to adapt when living in an area for so long. I didn't know how much I'd like it here in the mountains. But we always remember the place where we grew up, our home town. To answer your question, my hometown is about three hours away, and I love to visit, as my best friends live there and the fundraiser dinner is held there. I've moved to many different areas during my life, all in California, and although moving is hard, we always learn, like you said.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving week to you, my dear friend.
~Sheri
What a beautiful place to grow up! What a lovely story to share. I live about 150 miles from where I grew up and never imagined living here but my dad moved here and then we followed a few years later.
ReplyDeleteOMG, Mark spent his summers with his grandparents in Phillips. They had a cabin in the woods. They later in life they bought a house with a barn. I've been to Phillips several times when we were dating after high school. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We were both born in suburbs in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteIt can be hard to move and get used to new people, and neighbors. I have lived in three different states, and this is likely the last one.
ReplyDeleteDo you live in the community you were born and raised?
ReplyDeleteNot for 17 years now.
Do you have a desire to move back to your hometown or state?
No, we wouldn't be able to afford it, not that I would even want to. I'm perfectly content here in my new area, we call home. My boys moved and have settled here, to be close to us and we can always drive down to visit - but rarely do. (3 hours away) Too congested with traffic and people - hoards of people...different culture than here.
It does look beautiful! Like you, we moved away for my husband's career. But I love it here now, and wouldn't dream of moving back to where I grew up (and all the rain).
ReplyDeleteI live an hour from my hometown. My parents moved from our family home and built a new house in the are where they both grew up when my dad retired. My mom still owns that house...which is about an hour and half away from me. Happy Thanksgiving and hope you have a great time with your family. Janice
ReplyDeleteHello! This was so nice hearing about your hometown and your move to begin a new life with your husband. I lived in or very near to my hometown in Pennsylvania most all my life. When my Mom passed last year, we decided to follow our children to Maryland and live at the beach. I love it. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteYour hometown sounds charming, Carla. It's tough to move away, but it's clear that you've made a lovely life for your family in Cameron. It must be comforting to have your mom and dad's farm in Phillips. I bet those visits are very special. I still live in the same town I was born in and my kids went the high school I did, etc. I didn't get very far. Haha! Happy Thanksgiving!!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your story, Carla. No, we moved away from Columbus, Ohio, and first to Michigan, and then next, all the way to Texas. The Texas move was the hardest and I cried and cried. However, our four kids made friends, and my late husband provided well for our family, and now after 36 years here, I’m thankful for my family close by and all my wonderful friends. God’s plan is always the best. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteYou built a life, a family, and friendships that became your treasures, and it’s wonderful that you still carry the beauty of your childhood home in your heart. Many people feel a tug toward their roots, yet often the life we create elsewhere brings unexpected fulfillment.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story of the life you built. And I like the picture your friend sent you of your home town. Also like the poem (I have not seen that version of it before)..
ReplyDeleteI have moved not only from states, but from countries as well
Happy Thanksgiving! Wow, Phillips is way up there...as is Cameron for those of us "down here" in Madison. LOL. I grew up partly (age 10-18) in Shawano, which seemed far north to me, after starting out (age 0-9) in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It's interesting how we end up in places and grow to love them.
ReplyDeleteHello… I am new here. I found you through Maria’s blog. I have returned to my hometown. We live in my childhood home for the summer. It is now our summer home. We love the small-town community and miss it when we leave for our winter home.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the story of the life you have built in Cameron. Enjoy your visit back to Phillips for Thanksgiving!
This was so interesting! We lived near our hometowns most of our lives and started a new adventure about an hour away from there.
ReplyDelete