I’d like an order of expanded horizons, please
Posted on October 5, 2006 - Filed Under Uncategorized
Many people in our lives are astounded when we tell we are moving to Idaho because it’s so far away and remote. However, I have to tell you, if I had my druthers, we’d be moving to Europe or Alaska. I really want to experience as much of the world as possible. And by experience, I do not mean a vacation, I mean living there and being completely immersed in the culture. Looking back at the recent past and seeing how much we got into Asheville, I know we would really enjoy being somewhere like England or Germany. More importantly, I very much want Maggie to have that cultural immersion. It’s vital to me that she grow up knowing that the world is bigger than just her. On the small scale, I want her to learn and know that other people are different and that that’s a good thing. On the large scale, I want her to know that the American way is not the only way and be able to decide for herself, based on experience, whether it’s the best way.
There are so many people who live their lives blind to alternatives, to the different ways people do things, to the fact that, most of the time, there is no superior way. As much education as I’ve been fortunate enough to attain, I think I still live this way. I tightly define certain things and sometimes cannot think outside my experience. This is the natural product of being your typical American: growing up in the same place all my life, being friends with people who are like me, not having a great deal of international experience, and being caught in the rut of all this. I want Maggie to live as wide a life as possible and I think living in Europe would facilitate this. That said, I also want her to learn, as much as we have the ability to teach her, the importance of family. Erin reluctance to move to Europe is based on her desire to not be too far from her parents during this phase of their lives. I respect that and think it’s the perfect opportunity to teach Maggie about family.Â
Alaska would likely not have as great an impact but it would have a positive effect (hopefully). I think it would teach all of us to be tougher, more resilient and able to deal with adversity. It would be a little selfish on my part. I have grown to love the outdoors and wilderness and there’s nowhere in America you can go that is completely wild.
Obviously, there would be disadvantages to either of these moves but rarely do we get the opportunity to make a choice in life that does not involve sacrifices. No one needs to worry about us fulfilling this desire anytime soon; as most of you know, we will be in Mountain Home for at least four years. Who knows, maybe we’ll get the opportunity at some point while we’re there to make the trip to either Alaska or Europe and get a first impression.
Comments
One Response to “I’d like an order of expanded horizons, please”
Leave a Reply
i think it would be awonderful experience for all of you to see another country or more of the usa it would be good for maggie someday to learn about other countries and their cultures most people are to afraid to go outside of the box and to leave their comfort zone if you ever get the opportunity and the time is right i say go for it with my blessing love mom