The Place We Call Home
A couple years ago we had the opportunity to buy a business. The only drawback? We'd have to move to my old hometown.
For the months leading up to this possible change, we'd been feeling a bit under the weather. Needing a bit of a change in life, we entertained the possibility of running our own business. And in fact, we're still thinking of that very change. But I digress... let's get back on track.
We came upon a business right up our alley that needed a new owner (or in our case owners). After a site visit, some discussions, paperwork, a look at some numbers, a talk with a lawyer and countless hours of insomnia thinking of the possibilities... we ultimately turned it down. There were a number of reasons--the cost was too much, the risk too high, the company not quite as successful as it wanted to be, and probably the most critical, it's location.
First, let me say this. I am not against moving back home. It works for some people. But for us, well, I am not so sure. We'd be moving back in time as well as home. Families would turn back to their old habits and hierarchical statuses, I'd be cornered into this one and only job (there are not that many in my field in the area), and we'd be pigeoned holed back into a time and place we both (husband and I) had left over 10 years ago. Were we ready to go back?
No. And after two last minute trips back to the area for funerals, I don't regret the decision. It's like being time-portaled back to high school. A time I wasn't the most comfortable with myself. A lot of the same people, same families, same friends still live in the area. Expectations are the same. Livelihoods are still made in the same fashion. And I'd be expected to fill that mold I tried so hard to break (and did a pretty good job of breaking too). Not to mention the weather of a lot of snow and cold weather.
So, as much fun as it is to visit, and go back to that time in my life every now and again during a visit, I am a happier person here. In my current life. Away from the old hometown. I knew it for sure, after driving back from the second trip seeing my new home and a wave of relief came over me. I really was home. Now.
For the months leading up to this possible change, we'd been feeling a bit under the weather. Needing a bit of a change in life, we entertained the possibility of running our own business. And in fact, we're still thinking of that very change. But I digress... let's get back on track.
We came upon a business right up our alley that needed a new owner (or in our case owners). After a site visit, some discussions, paperwork, a look at some numbers, a talk with a lawyer and countless hours of insomnia thinking of the possibilities... we ultimately turned it down. There were a number of reasons--the cost was too much, the risk too high, the company not quite as successful as it wanted to be, and probably the most critical, it's location.
First, let me say this. I am not against moving back home. It works for some people. But for us, well, I am not so sure. We'd be moving back in time as well as home. Families would turn back to their old habits and hierarchical statuses, I'd be cornered into this one and only job (there are not that many in my field in the area), and we'd be pigeoned holed back into a time and place we both (husband and I) had left over 10 years ago. Were we ready to go back?
No. And after two last minute trips back to the area for funerals, I don't regret the decision. It's like being time-portaled back to high school. A time I wasn't the most comfortable with myself. A lot of the same people, same families, same friends still live in the area. Expectations are the same. Livelihoods are still made in the same fashion. And I'd be expected to fill that mold I tried so hard to break (and did a pretty good job of breaking too). Not to mention the weather of a lot of snow and cold weather.
So, as much fun as it is to visit, and go back to that time in my life every now and again during a visit, I am a happier person here. In my current life. Away from the old hometown. I knew it for sure, after driving back from the second trip seeing my new home and a wave of relief came over me. I really was home. Now.
