My packing list is too long. The upstairs of my parents’ house is cluttered with my belongings. I still haven’t ordered an underwater housing for my camera. Ugh – I just don’t care.
For as often as I change locations, one would think that I enjoyed it. False. I hate packing, saying good-bye, and existing in the limbo phase right before a move. I came back home to the shores of Lake Erie two weeks ago to spend time with my family and old friends and get ready for my move in a leisurely, organized fashion. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?) my preparation for my trip has been neither leisurely nor organized.
This is my parents’ back yard. I challenge any of you to do anything but play when plopped into this setting.
During transition times like this one, I tend to either take full advantage of the town that I’m in or become a hermit preparing for my departure. But, seriously, where is the middle ground? Are we better off relishing in the familiar while we have it or walking into our transitions cool, calm, and collected? This time around, I’m loving spending time in my hometown and hating packing.
I grew up in Toledo, Ohio and my parents recently moved to La Salle, Michigan, just a bit further up on I-75 and on a much more scenic slice of Lake Erie. I left Toledo when I turned 18 to go to Indiana University and I haven’t necessarily looked back on that decision, but I absolutely love coming home to visit. I love being able to spend all day on the water, find great local music any night of the week, and browse the galleries in one of the United States’ best art museums. Other things that I love are Tony Packo’s hot dogs, Maumee Bay Brewing Company beers, Lebanese food (which is everywhere and fabulous), the bars on Adams Street downtown, Mud Hens baseball games, and Walleye hockey matches. Of course, spending time with my fabulous family is another great part about coming home.
So this time, Toledo, I choose you. I’ll have a couple days of frantically throwing things together and many fond memories of a fun summer in my hometown. For now, I’m sticking to that decision being the right one, but ask me again in a on Friday while I’m frantically deciding what stays and what goes with me….
Say What?! 