I thought long and hard about this one all day today.
While I was driving between interviews.
While I was writing up stories.
While I was getting Monday's CHAT sheet ready.
While I was putting up Christmas decorations in my office.
Through all of that, I thought about today's topic. And I really only came up with one thing, which has already been mentioned on this 30 Days of Truth journey.
My family.
After college, I wanted a new adventure. I took a job in Texas, thinking I would love living somewhere new and be content with occasional visits back to Iowa.
I was only half-wrong.
I did love living somewhere new. I learned so much about myself and some of my friendships during my four-year stay in the Lone Star State. I wouldn't change any of that.
I didn't love only seeing my family once a year. In newspapers, there are no real "slow" times to take vacations. I knew it would be ridiculous to expect to have every Christmas off, so during my four years in Texas, I only saw my family for one Christmas -- the last one. It was during that last one that I realized I needed to change. I had some great "adoptive" families keep me company during my holidays in Texas, but nothing can replace family.
Within six months of that last winter in Texas (due to a combination of events), I was back in Iowa. I wouldn't change that either.
I love going to Iowa State football games with my parents in the fall. I love hanging out at my brother's bar for an evening (it's the greatest one in Ames) and then being able to come home. I love being able to go spend an evening with my parents and brother on a moment's notice. Most of all, I love that I haven't missed a holiday since returning to Iowa. And I don't plan to anytime soon.
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