Tethered

I love my hometown.  The good parts, anyway.   Like how for a few weeks in early spring, the brown hills turn vibrant with color. Absolutely magical. Or how it sometimes feels like an intimate small town and sometimes a huge, sprawling city.  Like how my brother is still there, and his presence alone makes it a better place.  I used to think, "Everyone should stay." Why leave such a nice place?  But one day I packed my car, brimming with life's treasures, and left.  It was isolating and terrifying to leave something I loved so much. But I knew leaving was the right choice for me. Good thing, too. I had so many beautiful things waiting for me miles and miles away.  I used to think, "Everyone should leave." See what's out there.  But I had a lot of friends who stayed. They found education, careers, love, happiness, and purpose there. I love seeing them planting deep roots where we used to walk. I would never say their life is more or less fulfi...