There were parties, sporting events and plenty of other activities in East Lansing that were far more engaging and exciting then going home to Tecumseh and hanging out with my parents and sister. Living outside of city limits, my home is surrounded by cornfields and some other houses, and that is about it. These factors, along with my determination to improve in my academic and athletic endeavors, encouraged me to stay in East Lansing to train and take classes that summer.

Sophomore year brought a little more appreciation for the peace and relaxation returning home brought, but mostly, I hoped to head into Ann Arbor each day I was home to enjoy the rest of civilization and the benefits of a larger community. I stayed in East Lansing to train that summer as well.

As junior year approached, and the academic demands of a challenging major seemed to become greater and greater, I began to wish I could just get away for a couple of days. My mom offered a suggestion: you could come home. Go home? Why on Earth would I want to do that? Tecumseh is boring, there are no events going on, I’ll just want to go to Ann Arbor anyway. Yet, I decided to give it a go.

I quickly found that heading home and spending time in the community I had known all my life wasn’t so bad. In fact, it gave me a chance to take a deep breath and clear my head. Suddenly, things that were complicated became less so and my priorities became much clearer.

I am fortunate enough that my hometown is only about an hour and 15 minutes away from MSU. Although earlier in my college career, I debated if that wasn’t too close, now I find myself rather thankful for it. I am very thankful that my home life is one that I do not dread returning to. The hometown that I couldn’t wait to get away from has becoming a welcome sight on a fall afternoon when the pressures of school, sports, and my social life seem to weigh me down.

I was born and raised in Tecumseh, but I never thought that I would find myself appreciating small-town America and the quaintness of my community. Although Tecumseh has broadened its cultural horizons over the years and has begun to play host to more diverse events, it has retained its small-town feel. There is something special about being able to drive past your elementary school and glance at that set of monkey bars you mastered as a youngster. There is a special feeling that comes from seeing old family friends when out for a stroll downtown or grabbing a coffee.

As a teenager and young adult, I wanted to put my past behind me and move on and chase my dreams in a bigger arena. I am beyond thankful for the opportunities I have been given at MSU and in the Lansing community. I will forever treasure the memories I have made and will continue to make here during the next few months, but I have found that there is an aspect of going home that never gets old.

I know not everyone lived in the same town their entire life prior to attending MSU and that there are those who do not find themselves in a position where home is a welcome part of the holiday season.

This Thanksgiving, I find myself more thankful than ever for Tecumseh and the safety, support and values instilled in me as a kid. Although I am not ready to return permanently to my hometown, I am looking forward to heading home this week to spend time enjoying the family and the home that “built me.” My hope for everyone this holiday season is that they find somewhere that they can call home to enjoy time with family and friends, clear their head and remember what is most important.

I hope we can all do our best to send some of that holiday cheer to those to are not able to enjoy it with friends and family, including our service men and women, as well as the ill and less fortunate. I wish everyone safe travels this week, and I welcome with holiday season with gusto. Yes, it is now socially acceptable to listen to Christmas music.

Victoria Merritt is a State News guest columnist and political theory and constitutional democracy senior. Reach her at merrittv@msu.edu.