Thank You Massachusetts
We entered Massachusetts for the first time on December 31, 1983. Within 45 days of our arrival, we had moved, changed jobs, were in a hotel fire (the Westin Copley Plaza), found out that our family was about to expand (Ben), were warned that the smoke from the fire could compromise the pregnancy (it didn't) and, just for good measure, I was told by a Cambridge police officer, as he poked me in the chest with his finger, that he would hire someone to break my legs if he “ever saw me or my fuckin' dog on his lawn again” (apparently, our dog left an unwanted gift during a raging snow storm). For the first several months we were here, we attempted to cope with the impact of all the change we had experienced and the aftermath of the fire, drawing extensively on whatever reserves humans have to pull them through life's little challenges.
We left Massachusetts eight months later (opportunity called), but it didn't take us long to realize the error of our ways. A little over a year after we had arrived for the first time we decided to return, and in June of 2015 we purchased our first Massachusetts home (Acton). As we drove to the closing a John Prine song (Fish & Whistle) played on the radio, and I knew we were home. And now -- thirty two years, three towns, six houses, nine jobs and many, many John Prine (and other folk) songs later -- we are, once again, leaving.
It is hard to imagine how we could have chosen a better place to spend what I might describe as our middle years. We lived in a town that provided our children with safety and security, a first rate education and, most importantly, friends for life. We found a community that took us in, cared for us, celebrated our happy times and helped us through our sorrows. We willingly took what was offered to us and tried to give back whenever we could. We soaked in all that the Boston area has to offer -- music (folk and otherwise), theater, art, food, museums, the Red Sox, and more food. And as we leave, we are fully aware how much more remains for us to experience.
I also had the privilege of a rich and fulfilling work life. I had the opportunity to work with creative, challenging and highly committed professionals in a variety of companies, industries and work environments. We laughed, argued, collaborated, raised our voices and, sometimes, cried. We solved problems, developed innovative solutions to vexing issues and, I am very proud to say, consistently delivered value to those who relied on us to do so. And we almost always had fun while doing it. Though I haven't worked for a while, I continue to marvel at my incredibly good fortune to have found so many work friends and colleagues whom I will never forget.
To be sure we, are sad about leaving because we are quite aware of how many and how much we are leaving behind. But just as Massachusetts was the perfect place for our family when it was younger, we are off to a place that better suits the needs of a more compact family that is approaching a different stage of life. And I would be less than truthful if I failed to acknowledge how excited we are about what comes next.
But regardless of where we call home, there is one thing of which I am very sure. Though I was born in Pennsylvania, lived in Maryland and Arizona and am now a mostly full-time resident of the state of Florida, when people ask me where I’m from, I will give only one answer. I will say, loudly and proudly, that I am from the great state of Massachusetts. Thank you, Massachusetts, for giving me the honor and privilege of saying that.