Building off of yesterday’s blog post of admitting where you’re from (thanks for the inspiration Kory – in many ways)…
As a 17 year old (and even earlier, but without the means and a place to go), I felt I had to reject my family and where I am from in order to grow and come into myself. I was embarrassed and restrained by the small-townness, by my blue collar history, the flatness (I still joke that you can stand in my parents driveway and watch the one traffic light in “town” change, ten miles away), the religiousness. Over the years, I’ve come to embrace this uniqueness of my raising. I’ve learned to sift out that which is not me and keep what is; I’ve learned to appreciate the values of friendliness, helpfulness, creativity and hard work; the peace and beauty of the vastness of the Idaho desert, the sturdiness of my family’s souls and all the parts of where I’m from that make me who I am.
Still, each time I go “home”, I feel the risk of losing myself, of being trapped there, of reverting to the angry teenager who hates all of it and feels the need to escape.
This past thanksgiving, as with many other occasions, is evidence that it’s ok. I’m strong enough to withstand the chaos of 23 people crammed into a small house for thanksgiving dinner, the ribbing from my hunting/farming brothers for being a vegetarian, the nervousness of introducing my partner to relatives who’ve never ventured beyond a two-state area. I imagine it’s risky for all of them too, to leave their minds open and their hearts warm. That, too, is part of where I’m from.

Janet K. Carter is a creative and versatile marketing professional with fifteen years experience in marketing/marketing operations. She is currently seeking opportunities for meaningful employment with an organization where her skills and experience will be put to work towards improving environmental and/or social conditions. Connect with Janet at LinkedIn.
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