K is for Kansas

 

My mother always thought it was neat that my brother and I were born in the only two K states; Kansasand Kentucky. I, on the other hand, always thought it was weird that I had to tell people that I was from Kansas. I lived the very first year of my life in Kansas, before we moved to Tacoma, Washington, then Fayetteville, North Carolina, then, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, then, Fort Drum, New York, and then finally, Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Yes, I was an army brat, moving every three years of my life until my father decided to retire in Colorado Springs.

So, while I never associated with Kansas, never had good friends or fond memories of the place, and while it was not the place my father, or mother or even brother was from, when the question was asked, where are you from, I was obliged to answer, Kansas. That’s the standard answer right? Where you are from, is where you were born.  I never understood this, but also, at a young age, I never understood that other people actually stayed and grew up where they were born. It was a novel idea to me.  One I was just beginning to resent my folks for.

It wasn’t until very recently that I brought an idea up to my father. I told him that I thought military brats should have an exception to the ‘native’ rule.  I told him that I thought we should get to choose where we are from.  Why would I ever say I was from Kansaswhen the bulk of my living and growing up took place outside of there?  He agreed with me and asked me where it is I would say I was from if I weren’t limited by birth.

Colorado, I told him. Of course Colorado. It is the longest I have ever lived anywhere, albeit, scattered over time and split here and there.  I grew up and got to graduate from the same high school I attended as a freshman. Most military brats, my brother included, do not get to do this. I went to college two hours away. I left and moved abroad, came back, got my masters and finally began teaching in the same university I attended.  It is where my folks still live half the year.  Coloradohas all the memories and moments I imagine someone has if they grew up where they were born.  Coloradoholds my heart and I am filled with pride when I think of being from here. So I claim it. I claim it as the place where I am from, because I think I am entitled to it, having moved around all my life, I think I get the right to decide where I am from, and I choose Colorado.

Where would you be from, if you could choose?