Time matters none when it comes to where one is from. Knowing where you are from should be an easy question for everyone to answer. For example, if you were born one place, lived in a few others, or moved to pursue a relationship or career, or to settle. It doesn't matter what the chronological order of the events was. What matters is that when the question is asked you should be able to instantaneously answer the question and that answer will always be that place you are most associated with and affectionate about.

For myself it went something like this, I was born in Nashville, Tennessee, then after a short stint near Vanderbilt hospital for my sister to recover from a stroke it was off to Germany for a few years. Then my family and I then settled in Indiana for us children to be raised and educated. Upon graduation of high school I decided as a man it was time to see what the rest of the world had to offer. Since that time the Air Force has had me live in three different locations. However, like some say where you were born is where you are from, that is false. I will tell you until I have no breath to breathe that it is not the case.

Another case that's close to home is the situation of my father. He was born in Texas, raised in Arkansas, traveled the world in the Army and settled in Indiana. Although prior to my mother convincing him to move there the only thing he had ever heard about Indiana is a blessed school Notre Dame. However, much like me he was born one place, raised in another, and finally settled and now if you ask him where he is from he will swiftly and decisively respond to you, Indiana.

Now going back to what I had written earlier where you are from has everything to do with the place that you are most associated with and affectionate about. So the next time someone asks, "Where are you from?" Don't try to pander to them there is no need, the question answers itself immediately whether or not you're proud of where you are from. It doesn't matter because everyone knows where they are from. It's that place that comes to mind as soon as the question is posed.

Learn more about this author, Timothy Franseen.
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