My grandmother left her “Motherland” of Sweden as a girl of 5. Her
family settled into a new Motherland- the state of Michigan. Northern
Michigan was the place of the family chose, given a world of
possibilities. The gorgeous seasons, the pristine lakes, the limitless
possibilities. My grandmother raised four children who grew up to love
Michigan as Natives. The family spread from lake to lake, but stayed in
the land they loved. Bay City, Fremont, Rockford and Grayling.
Out of a world of possibilities, my mother’s daughter chose to stay in
Michigan. After marrying her high school sweetheart, the United States’
Navy took them to San Diego during Vietnam, but after two tours of duty
they quickly returned to Michigan. First to Grand Rapids, then back to
Grayling after their firstborn’s birth. She would always say, “Why would
you want to live anywhere else? This is God’s country. Here we have all
four distinct seasons to enjoy.” She raised her three children to love
God, family, and Michigan’s nature. The family camped and enjoyed the
great outdoors. The family hunted and fished together. As the family
grew up and started their own families, they choose Michigan out of a
world of possibilities. They all currently live in Montcalm County. My
grandmother’s granddaughter was born and raised in Northern Michigan.
Winter in the snow belt were exciting. The winters held all the glorious
possibilities a child or adult could want. Sledding, ice skating,
building forts, snow angels and snowmen. There was always the occasional
snow day to look forward to. Even on the stormiest days and nights,
there was the possibility of a wood fire, cup or cocoa and a good book,
preferably Hemingway. There were magical white Christmases and the
holidays. Twinkling light and sparkling decorations. Traditions
remembered and new ones begun.
Springs were always a favorite. Watching the world change from white to
green. It was always mysterious and magical how the days would warm and
lengthen. Suddenly there was green grass, colorful flowers and buds on
all the trees. In high school, spring meant traveling to gorgeous golf
courses on the Girls Varsity Golf team, walking some of the Nation’s
best. Enjoying nature and the challenge of a game you can never win.
Spring would merge into summer, summer with hot days made for swimming.
Summer with picnics in the pines of Hartwick. Virgin timber standing
proud. Summer vacations meant seeing new sights and town. Sue St. Marie
and the Sue Lock tours. Cheboyegan, Petosky, Mackinaw with it’s mighty
bridge and Alice’s Famous caramel corn. Muskegon’s beaches, Bay City,
Frankenmuth, Grand Rapids’ museums, Traverse City’s bays and wine
country, Detroit’s sports. Summer meant bike rides, walks, tours of the
fish hatchery, canoing the AuSable.
Fall with its crisp days. Brilliant color- yellow, reds, and browns.
Apples- carmeled and in cider. Back to school, with new notebooks
waiting to be filled. Halloween parties and door to door trick or
treating. Fall fades into winter, starting the cycle anew.
My husband proposed to me on the shores of Lake Michigan. With a world
of opportunities of places to raised a family, we selected Greenville.
Now the next generation, my daughter, has the dreams and possibilities
of Michigan to look forward to. Out of a world of possibilities,
Michigan is the place my family has chosen for generations. Michigan is
more then a state to me. Michigan is my home, my past, my present, my
future.
