Today starts the Blogtember Challenge on Story of My Life! Today's prompt ask that you describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are.
The posed question, 'where are you from' can be an interesting question... Some are born and raised in one place their entire life. Like my husband. He was born and raised in West Virginia and darn proud of it! Me on the other hand, well I've moved around a lot.
Ages:
0-3 - Illinois
4-7 - Arizona
7-9 - New Mexico
10-18 - Florida (Orlando)
18-23 - Florida (Fort Lauderdale)
23-24 - Virginia (D.C. area)
24-30 - North Carolina
That makes living in 6 states and 7 cities... So if you asked me where I was from I would tell you, "I was born in Illinois, but was raised in Florida". If you are lucky I'll tell you all the states.
So do I buy an Illinois shirt because I was born there or a Florida shirt because I was raised there? Still no answer on that one, but I lean more towards Florida.
I wasn't a military brat or anything like that; my Dad had a great job that moved us around a lot. It wasn't always easy... It still sometimes isn't. You know some people have close childhood friends that they remained close friends with throughout the years. I don't have that. However, I do have a few close friends from Middle School and High School that I keep in touch with.
*the latter part of this question could be pages long, but i'd like to address part of the challenges and growth opportunities i had from moving around. factors that make up who i am
I am mostly an introvert. Can you imagine how hard moving was? The challenge of having to start all over in a new city was not always easy. However, moving forced me out of my comfort zone. The biggest move I ever made was from South Florida 800+ miles away from my parents and 1,000+ miles from my college friends to Northern Virginia. I only knew a few people in N. VA when I moved up there: my Aunt and Uncle and a close Zack who moved to Miami 2 months after I got there. #bummer
Starting new somehow became easier over time. The decision to pick up and move far away from everything that was comfortable. Another example are the careers I've chosen. Both of my jobs (auditor + photographer) require me to be extremely social and energetic. I think God did that to me intentionally. He's a funny man. Otherwise He knew I might hide in my house all the time.
God has shown my purpose in my decisions to move around as a child and an adult. It's amazing the things He shows you when you let him.
Linkup: Blogtember @ Story of My Life
Amanda!I really love to know all these things about your childhood, and about your!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that I'm not good at English, because I really would like to enjoy this "Blogtember"!
It's so true what you write about God....thank you for this post!!
Have a nice day!
Wow, you've moved a LOT! We moved houses a lot and made one big move to another state. And I'm also an introvert, so I can relate. It took me two solid weeks to make a single friend after that big move. But I totally agree with you - God has totally shown me purpose in it! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat is a LOT of moves!! I have a similar experience in that it's really hard to answer the question of "where are you from?" so mostly I just don't. :P
ReplyDeleteI was born in CT, but I spent most of my childhood in NC, so that's where I feel I'm from!
ReplyDeleteI was born and raised in the same town in VA, whereas Kev was a military brat and lived all over the world. I love moving now (I was actually disappointed when our assignment had us coming back to DC- I want to see the world!) but I know it will get harder as the kids get older. We hope to go to Germany next, then pick someplace nearby where we want to settle for good.
ReplyDelete