Perspective

I grew up in Sac City, a small farming community in northwest Iowa.  That community, the school and the church were my whole world for the first 18 years of my life.  There were a few exceptions.  My dad's family lived in southern Minnesota and so we made car  trips to visit Grandma a couple of times a year.  Once in a blue moon we would visit relatives in Storm Lake or would shop in Fort Dodge.  We'd make big plans for those trips that were all of 20 miles or 45 miles away.  Oh, the excitement of a trip to "the big city"!  Once we even took a car trip to California.

Most every Sunday, Grandma fixed dinner for her kids and grandkids and her sister's kids and grandkids.  That's about 25-30 people.  Once in a while that group was expanded to include her other siblings (and their families) and her cousin.  That would be another 15-20 people.  Aunt Fern didn't come often because she lived a long ways away...... in Des Moines!  100 miles or so away!

Because of the school and good teachers, I learned about far-off places.  Because the Kiwanis Club-sponsored Travel Log programs, I learned about exotic places in South America or in Africa.  When I was in high school, I started watching The Huntley-Brinkley Report* and learned that there was a place called Viet Nam... and Laos and Cambodia... where the USA was in a war as the good guys fighting against communism.

In this space I was insulated against the world.  The people with whom I interacted had skin the same color as mine and spoke the same language.  The correct religion was Lutheran, tho I knew there were other churches in the community.  I never heard the terms heterosexual and homosexual, much less gay, lesbian, bi-, trans-, queer and others.  I was ignorant of those issues.  Blissfully ignorant.  My greatest concern was to be financially secure.  One of the worst things that I ever heard said about others was that they were people who lived paycheck to paycheck.

Over the years, I've experienced very different people and places from those of my childhood.  99% have been positive.  I may not always have been so accepting of other people or places or things -- just because they were different.  But I think I've grown and I give thanks for all who nudge me forward.

I miss Sunday dinners at Grandma's house, but perhaps my memories have made them sweeter than they actually were.  To all the folks who pine for the good ole days of their childhood, I say this:  Remember those days with fondness and then get moving.  We can't go back..... and we shouldn't.

*on NBC news in the 1960's.