From my experience in growing up during times I can
remember, we moved to new towns about every four years. Although the places we moved were always in
the same state (Florida), I found moving an unpleasant experience. I had to leave best friends and familiar
haunts behind. Looking back, I cherish
each place we moved to, but at the time I found moving a special challenge. Perhaps for this reason, as soon as I was
able I settled down in one place—Saint Petersburg, Fl. I have done so because I like the continuity represented
by sending down roots. I don’t do well
as a frequent transplant. In Saint
Petersburg, I purchased a home as soon as possible and established widespread
connections within my community—work, church, school, along with of course
friendships some of which have taken on a deep familial character. Establishing reliable relationships has met
an urgent personal need. I find these
relationships extremely rewarding in providing a sense of purpose and
stability. In many ways for me, place
provides identity. I know who I am to a
large extent by the company I keep. While
this may reveal a personal weakness—a lack of a self-conceived presence, a lack of a self-sufficient
identity and an appalling lack of independence—I can only testify to its
truth. Discrete individuality for me is
largely a fiction. I am, more than I sometimes
like to aver, a product of my time and place.
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