I have mentioned in previous posts, our family has experience “transplanting” from the City to the Country. We lasted 8 years. Sometimes dark and lonely, sometimes like a cable television show where city folks learn how to manage their lives surrounded by unfamiliar creatures like scorpions, wild turkey, tortoises, vultures, newborn deer and copperhead snakes. But one thing remained constant: My husband’s dream to be close to his children and provide a simple lifestyle our family would always remember. We fought with the neighbors, our friends/employers and sometimes each other throughout the highs and lows of our time in the country. But we never stopped loving each other or our dream.
Along the way, my husband and I learned that giving up on a dream is not failure or surrender. It is just an unexpected twist in life’s path that may leave scars but also offers great gifts. When we returned to the City and the comforts of old friends and family, we had stories and experiences to share that others had only dreamed of. As one of Mike’s lawyer friends put it, “You have been away from the reservation. Not many of us have the courage to do that.” There’s something about going away that is terribly frightening and inspiring at the same time. On my horrible days, I would frown and tell people, “If you want to get to know yourself really well, move to the f—–ng PRAIRIE!”.
The part we are proud of is that our family made its mark on the people and community we grew to love – and they on us. We did not fit in there nor do we really completely fit in back here in the City because of the lessons we learned in our small town. But that’s okay. We had a dream, we lived it for awhile and then gracefully left it behind…..and survived to tell about it!
So, on the 5th anniversary of our departure from the home we loved so well we named it after Mike’s father’s homeland’s national dance, “Tango Canyon,” I am proud to report that all is well. Transition complete. Our journey unfolds before us everyday and it is good. And we are better for having known the rugged world of Southern Kansas and its inhabitants.