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A time of thanks

The time of year has come again where I reflect on all that Northeastern Ohio has done for me. This process involves the use of, shall we say, "rose-colored glasses," but I'll don them for a while to express gratitude to my Midwestern roots.

After two and a half years of being here, though, is it time for me to start counting my Virginian blessings as well? The definition of home gets a little hazy for me when I live out of a suitcase in Ohio for a week, and, minus my parents, my cell phone is chock-full of 703s and 757s. Maybe it's finally time to consider good ole' C-ville home.

I could be, as the case often is, just the last to accept this. I've had friends who don't go "home" in the summers, and when asked where they're from, now the answer is simple: here. Even in the summer, the beehive of a community we live in still buzzes, and those staying take full advantage of the extra space.

Since we packed our bags and moved into to Bonnycastle or Hereford our first year, things have changed at our homes. Parents have moved, parents have gotten divorced, siblings have grown up, friends have changed -- everything that was once familiar isn't waiting just the way we left it.

As such, I have revised my blessing list to take into account the fact that my hometown just got a Wal-mart, while here in Charlottesville, we've moved up to a Target. Where would you rather be from?

That said, there is still a distinct lack of Olive Gardens in C-ville. I hear there's some sort of sign height requirement with which the company will not comply. Don't they realize they're only hurting the community? I am thankful for Olive Gardens everywhere in Ohio

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