Monday, June 20, 2011. You'd think this would be a day I would be looking forward to, and in many regards I am. However, it's also a day that has been plaguing me for several months now. You see, on Monday, June 20, 2011 at 10:05 AM Rochelle, Emily, Jack, and I take off from Amarillo, TX flying to Flint, MI for a week of vacation. Flint is home. It's where I grew up, but it's also where I left the summer of 1982 to head off to college and with the exception of a few visits have not been back to.
I still have family and friends in Flint. My oldest brother Terry is coming in from PA with some of his family and my other brother Larry and his family is playing host. Over the years we've gathered for other such occasions, but always at "neutral" sites; Nashville; Branson. This is going to be a great trip and Rochelle is really looking forward to it because other than Terry, she has not met any of my family. So why the consternation over going?
I actually have no clue and no logical reason for my mixed emotions. It'll be great to see family that we don't see near enough. Maybe I feel guilty that we don't see each other enough? Maybe I feel guilty that I haven't done a better job at keeping up with childhood friends? Hmmm, no clue? I only know that this vacation comes with unexplained mixed emotions. Rochelle keeps reassuring me that it is going to be great, and I know she is right. We're touring Comerica Park (Tiger Stadium) and Detroit. We're taking a day to visit family in Muskegon and Ludington. We're eating one night at my favorite restaurant from childhood, Angelo's Coney Island. And hey, how many other people take vacation to the city (Flint) with the highest crime rate in America and then add in the #2 city (Detroit) just for kicks?
Okay, I'm convincing myself, it's going to be a great trip. Flint was home, it's where I grew up. It's different now and so am I. But I am sure going home will bring back nostalgic memories and maybe even make me appreciate it more. Hmm, highest crime rate? I wonder if Larry has a gun I can carry? Just kidding, it was probably always slightly dangerous but when you grow up there you just don't realize it as much.
Flint, MI... here we come. 6 days and counting. There has to be some leadership lessons in this somewhere? I'll keep you posted.
Lead Strong,
Shawn
