Where am I?

            

        According to Google, “the latitude of Aurora [Nebraska] is 40.867N. The longitude is -98.003W. It is in the Central Standard time zone. Elevation is 1,791 feet. The estimated population, in 2003, was 4,247.” I guess a more general analysis is my house is located in the middle of a corn field. Yes, there is corn on all four sides of my house, and if I look outside my window I can see cattle leisurely grazing in the field. To me this is home.

Aurora Courthouse

My home has been in the family for three generations. Around every corner, lurk memories of my childhood. Living in the country, my older sister and I had the freedom to let our imaginations run wild. When we were younger our sunflower fort was like our headquarters. 
Located in a corner of the garden it was where great  banquets were held, princesses resided, and where make-believe was king. The garden was our little safe haven, unless Dad wanted our help tending it. As a country boy my Dad loved working the land, his daughters… not so much. The tedious job of hoeing and watering the plants seemed to be a punishment. Funny how the exact same place where two girls created mud pies to sell in their bakery, turned into a sweat shop. Eventually I learned to appreciate the principles of the garden. Watching something grow, from the earth, you personally nurtured is an opportunity most people don’t get now days. Sustaining yourself with the food you grow, there comes a certain sense of pride and accomplishment. Harvest is a time to reflect upon your hard work, as the bounty is gathered.

Aurora Movie Theater

A gain leg on our farm

  In the middle of the country there is not a lot to do. For me, the closest town is twenty minutes away in every direction. When faced with the lack of outside entertainment, you learn to be creative. Pivot mud sliding rivals any water park. My sister and I loved this as children. Adorned in weathered, over-sized work clothing and bare feet, we could spend hours running up and down the rows of corn. The only problem was the rocks that randomly jutted out from the ground.
            I love to reminisce about long walks on the country roads. The best time is in late July when the soybeans are still green. If one waits until right after twilight, one would witness the Heartland’s little treasure. Fireflies illuminate the field. Looking down the rows one can simply watch as they float along the cool wind currents. This is the time you can hear silence. That sound is the most soothing to a stressed or tired soul.
            Originally I was born near the big city of Minneapolis, MN, but after the death of my grandparents, my parents decided to move back to my father’s childhood home and run the family farm. My mom, being a complete city slicker, had quite an adjustment to country living. The country was somewhere to visit, and not necessarily somewhere to live on a daily basis. Family members have claimed her initial experiences were amusingly similar to the character of Lisa on the TV show “Green Acres”; nonetheless here we are, and here is where we are going to stay.

Corn!!

An interesting side note, only a few weeks after moving to our country home my mother decided to sunbathe in the backyard. The corn was at its peak height of 8 feet providing the perfect fence. A short time later rustling sounds came from the corn, and a man emerged! Scared out of her mind from the sudden appearance of a complete stranger she darted into the house, locked every door and closed the blinds throughout. The man left, but my mother refused to leave the house until my dad returned. Trying to soothe her he explained that the man’s car probably broke down on the interstate, and since we were on a farm, the man was looking for some gas. Let’s just say we no longer have gas on our farm.

Our gravel road

Aurora Marching Huskies

School is also where I am. At times I seem to live there. My extra-curricular activities schedule is demanding and along with my classes, a little “school family” has been created. It is composed of teachers, administration, staff, and peers. These individuals have made the last few years memorable, and also have helped me survive high school. If you look at school as only a place where the mind is crammed with knowledge, there is no way you will make it through high school. A sense of home and belonging has to be there. Searching out the teachers you bond with and who genuinely care is the first step. Building upon those relationships is one of the most valuable assets of my high school career. They seem to always have the time to give counsel or a quick story to lift your spirit when the rain clouds set into your life.

Go Big Red!

My definition of home is simple, it is where memories are held, and those you treasure reside. Therefore the answer to the question “Where am I?” is I am home.