Wisconsin is Home

by Kathy
(Warrens, WI)

I grew up in southern Missouri. My summers splashed in the Lake of the Ozarks. Autumn was a gradual slide into winter punctuated by brilliant red, gold, and orange. Winter was brief; enjoyed for its brevity. Spring brought storms that would take your breath away. Seasons were perfect, home was not.

I am the daughter of a father that left when I was two days old. My step father was abusive. "Leave no bone unbroken" was his motto. After we escaped, my mother worked two jobs and put herself through college. I was alone, I was lonely, I was lost. I grew up in a house on a cliff with an exceptional view, but I had no home.

I too put myself through college, or at least part of college, until in a destructive downward spiral, I met and married a Marine in two weeks. We have one child together, a son. No one ever tells you that as a parent the love of your life is born (in my case) at 22 inches tall.

When my marriage, too. became abusive, I did not wait. I left and have not looked back. It bothers me when women complain that there are no good men out there. I think if you cannot find one, raise one. For a very long time all of my joy was wrapped up in my son: making certain he is a good man, providing for him, loving him enough for two people.

I tell you this not to get the sympathy vote, but to brag. Five years ago I moved to Wisconsin with my son. My first date since my divorce was 3 years ago. On that date, I met a man who is truly my partner.

I have so many reasons to love Wisconsin. June 21, 2006 he told me he loved me in Black River State Forest in Black River Falls, asked me to marry him in Eau Claire, and on June 29th we will be married. We raise our son outside of La Crosse. As a family we have managed to explore just about every state park. We take weekend day trips to obscure parts of the state. Little bitty towns that we explore with wonder.

However, these things do not make Wisconsin great for me. Wisconsin is the best because for the first time in my whole life I have a home. I rush home from work, I soak up every drop of happiness, and I sleep knowing that my soul rests easy here.