No matter where you go off to, a little piece of your heart will always remain in that same special place. For me, I grew up in the same city my entire life. When I look back at all my memories, I am super grateful that I did. My hometown is a safe, close-knit, and united community. The whole town shuts down Friday nights and can traditionally be found cheering on our boys under those Friday night lights. There are so many great memories that come from growing up in one place your whole life, especially as an amazing place as my hometown. Running into someone you know at the local grocery store is a regular occurrence; everyone pretty much knows almost everyone. The traditional holiday parades that run down main street, and American flags that are placed all throughout town on the Fourth of July, are seasonal beauties I look forward to each year. I cannot leave out the massive amount of pride my city has. School spirit is visually displayed all over the town with large royal blue flags with our town name and High School logo proudly blowing in the wind. Tradition, unity and home, are words to describe the town I thankfully had the pleasure of growing up in.
Growing up in a place with so much pride and unity has given me extreme confidence in my roots and a proud vision for success. There is always such a large amount of support for whatever it may be in the community. This is one of the many benefits of living in a smaller city. When there is a major accomplishment within the community, everyone comes together and celebrates. Whether it's a successful play off run in sports or winning a prestigious science award for an invention, our High School and community are proud of it's broad excellence in all of it's different fields.
During painful times, small communities come together during injustices and tragedies. If there is something deeply wrong taking place or a tragic loss to a family, small and united cities go above and beyond in supporting the brokenhearted. A strong support system that is full of passionate and loving people is a dynamic duo, especially in the world we live in today. Tragedies oftentimes have potential to divide communities. But for strong, passionate, and united hometowns like mine, it is overcome.
I am thankful that I have been able to grow up in the community that I did. Moving from town to town, or state to state seems fun but there is something better about being deeply rooted and having faithful pride to one place. Being a part of my hometown gives me so much comfort and stability. Some people in the world do not have the privilege to walk down the street and feel safe. I have been grateful to have this opportunity and much more in my safe haven with my community.
I truly love and am thankful for my hometown.
