How Life comes Full Circle

In 2009 I left my hometown to go into the city thinking my whole life was ahead of me and that my hometown and its limited amenities and influence was shackles to my destiny.

And truth be told, at the time, it was. Opportunity cost was too high for what I needed for myself — whether I knew why exactly at the time or not — , I knew I had to go.

So I left.

My family set me up in an old ruin of a house near my post-secondary campus. It is truly wonderful how good I had it — even then.

It’s hard to explain. From food, to groceries, to frozen congees, and the availability of a room, a bed, a hot shower, and electricity and dinky wifi. Honestly, a sheltered suburban boy sent into the city for school; this was quite good.

I was safe. Or should I say, nothing ever happened to me. I was never robbed on the street, no fires set off in the house, no gang or drug activity. I never encountered it. And there was a sense — at the time — that you attract what you are. Nowadays, hindsight tells me I was just too damn lucky. I had a good setup, my campus was across one traffic light, one short walk and there was my class. How much better did I need it?

2022, I move back to my hometown. Back into the nothingness, the low amenities, two minutes to grocery by car, but thirty minute if you were to walk it. It’s all quite good, still. My hometown has low crime, safe at night, lots of dogs on walks, clean air, newer housing, good community centers, and access to downtown. Once again, I ask you, as a person who doesn’t eat out much, isn’t this all I need in my thirties? I want to work-live-play-sleep-breathe. If I must drive to reach the city, why not? I only go when I intend to, so why not make it an intended thing to do.

I’ll save up my money, go travelling when I can.

Walkability is something I will miss, but it is something I know I will try to pick in my next move another 5–10 years from now.

And so, another chapter closes, 8 years later. And the new me is about to dawn. A me that could soon be married.

Life can be ugly, but it is also beautiful.