Today my hair dresser implored me to “name one thing you like about South Dakota.” I hesitated which he took as humor. However, to clarify, my hesitation was because I knew the answer immediately and I did not want to insult any Californians I know. Or my hair dresser who I only sorta know.
Unfortunately ever since I moved to South Dakota there is a constant comparison. I do not like to compare two places that are both dear to me. It reminds me of all the parenting books I have read about not labeling our children and navigating sibling rivalry. I get visuals of my two states getting complexes and needing expensive therapies or getting attitude and storming off. However, everything I know is held up and measured out in new terms…
And the answer to his question is without a doubt, the people. I love the people in South Dakota.
South Dakotans are a community. A strong community. I am not sure I ever understood community before I moved there (though my kids school program before we moved was close). When I was at my lowest in South Dakota complete strangers came out of no where to help and make me feel more at home. I never want to generalize too much. There are some great, really great, Californians I know. But it is in South Dakota that I am learning through example how to be a better community member – which I know I have a lot of work to do to achieve.
Whenever I try to understand it better all I can come up with is there is a smaller population, harsher weather and people rely on each other more for support. Maybe in California we are to dispensable to each other – we can hide from social responsibility in our large population assuming we are anonymous.
So Californians tonight I say be a little less snide next time you refer my other home – we Californians do not have it all figured out yet.
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