Why we Love Michigan by Fran Kent

Our family are all born and raised right here in Michigan continue to love this area.  We are raising our six children here in Grand Rapids and enjoy sharing all four of the Michigan seasons with them.  We may complain a little more this time of year about the ice and cold, but yet we are all still here.  As much as warmer climates may look appealing in mid-Frebruary, we quickly forget with the next morning as we look out on a beautiful picture perfect landscape blanketed in powdery snow.  No place and compete with the seasons of Michigan.  With spring right around the corner, we all look forward the the reawakening of the trees and flowers, from the first spring spring bulbs to the summer crops its all exciting to see.  The glorious days of summer spent on the shores of our great lakes and at the neighborhood pools with children laughing.  The activities are only limited by your imagination and time.  We have spent many a summer camping with our three older children and are hoping to get out to the campgrounds this summer with our three younger children.  Our children may not have traveled as far as many, some never have been out of Michigan, but they are blessed to have everything so many travel far and wide to visit right here.  The beaches, the forest, the bike trails, the museums, the zoos, the famous landmarks, the islands, the history, the list is endless and all offered right here in Michigan, you just have to enjoy it.  The fall with all the glorious harvests and brilliant colors bring celebrations and joy.  All leading up to the winter and wonderful family gatherings for the holidays, this may be the best time of year and though cold it is brings some of the warmest of feeling to all.  Growing up in Grand Rapids has been wonderful, watching all the growth, and continued advancement bringing opportunities for our childrens futures.  Watching our children grow up here, teaching them the values learned and lived here in Michigan, having them all in good health and happy, it is truely what we all want for our families.