Dean and I grew up in Olathe. It’s our “hometown”. We both went K-12 in Olathe Schools and both went to Olathe North High School. When we lived in Pittsburg, KS for 12 years, we’d come home and wonder if we’d ever end up back at “home”. We never thought it would be possible. So, when we ended up at home, in the “perfect” house on the “perfect” block in the “perfect” location with the “perfect” job(s) and “perfect” world, we never knew that would someday change.
The problem is that “perfect” only exists in another world. Life has a way of changing what you once thought was “perfection”.
Someday, Dean and I will write a book titled “It’s Not About What It’s About”. We often find ourselves choosing to do or go somewhere and then we find out there’s a whole other plan for that other than what we thought. We moved back to Olathe for a variety of reasons. Some of those were realized. Some of those weren’t. And overall, perhaps we were here for a whole other reason than we thought. Often times, we don’t find out that reason until long after it’s over. And, I believe we often never know the “real” reason.
And on that, I may never know the real reason we were in Olathe.
We developed some deep life lasting relationships in a place where we generally thought we knew “everyone”. The intersections of people will leave a hole in our hearts as well as some scars.
It’s time to leave.
After seeking our the “perfect” job opportunity (!?!) in our “perfect” place, we find that the opportunity is somewhere else. Today was my last day as a SPAMer. As soon as we can make it there, we move to Wichita, KS where I start a new chapter in my life. 17 years ago, we left this “perfect” place to the armpit of America… Pittsburg, KS. I thought I was leaving dreams and opportunities behind. However, upon arrival, I “found” what I had been looking for… for about a decade. And now a Gold Record adorns my wall.
Unfortunately, as an Adaptable person, I not only welcome change, I expect it. So, as we move from here, in many ways, I expect similar things from Wichita that happened in Pittsburg.
And once again, I’ll be wrong. The very things that I think it’s about, even the things that aren’t about what it’s currently about, even THOSE things won’t be about what it’s about.
