By Dale Avery
Conversation at our house lately has centered around homecoming and going home. My wife and I attended ISU’s homecoming a couple of weekends ago. It was great to see so many alumni in town and to spend time walking around the tailgate area. We ran into friends we hadn’t seen for years as well as our next door neighbors that we just don’t get to see enough.
Last weekend my wife and I drove home to the farm to work and see my mom and sister. It was a beautiful day to be at the farm and do some mowing and clean up. My mom’s health had improved recently and we were able to love on my sister with some home cooked meals for their freezer and laugh and talk with my mom.
This past week was Normal Community homecoming week. We oversaw all sorts of dress up days, went to watch the powderpuff games, hung out at the tailgate, heard the NCHS choir sing the national anthem, and watched the homecoming football game. Homecoming dance prep was a flurry of hairdos, makeup, photo shoots, and beautiful teenagers.
My wife’s aunt and uncle were also in town visiting my in-laws last week. One night after dinner we got to talking about family and seems each person had a story to share about that one family member that doesn’t speak to anyone because of some long ago argument over anything from land to dishes.
I am not a fan of the expression “you can’t go home again”. Every Fall I live out several home-comings. Where is your home that you haven’t been to for too long? Is it the school you attended that you need to go visit? Where you need to take some time reflecting on where you were and what you hoped for. Where you can connect with the people you knew when your life was truly just beginning. Is it your childhood home or family or origin that could use a visit? Where maybe some old wounds need care to heal or some hard work needs to be done. Is it your children and their school that you need to show support for as they seek to find some joy and spirit in a confusing and troubled time? Where teachers and students are taking time to show unity and cheer each other on.
You can go home again – sometimes it brings joy, sometimes you have to fight through the pain. But reminiscing on the good and the bad make you who you are today. The homecoming spirit is not gone; you can fan it in to a roaring bonfire again. Seize the memories, enjoy the people of your past, experience the people around you now – go home.
Dale Avery, CPCU, is the assistant vice president – Enterprise Services at State Farm® Corporate Headquarters in Bloomington, Ill.
Avery began his career with State Farm in 1982 as a personal lines underwriter in Lincoln, Nebraska and assumed his current position in 2006. Avery, a native of Missouri, received his bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri State University. He earned his CPCU in 1991.
Dale resides in Bloomington with his wife, Laura and their two daughters; Megan and Jenna.
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