Thanks, Montana (Missoula, Bozeman, Livingston: transfer, school, university)

[ShawJ]

Just wanted to stop by and write down some of my thoughts on Montana.

I attended Montana State University for my freshman year last year. I'm originally from Omaha, Nebraska, but I wanted something new in my life. I have to say that I absolutely loved my time up there. My freshman year was such a unique and positive experience. It's rare that one can wake up and see mountains out their window, or see deer running across fields. It's rare to be able to go skiing all day on the weekends or hike up gorgeous mountains. When people ask me how my Freshman year was, I can't even begin to explain my experience. I grew up so much in that short first year. Because of this, Montana will always be close to my heart.

I went into college not knowing what I wanted to study, but I quickly realized my passion. Unfortunately, I made the decision to transfer after my first year to go to a school that had better programs for my desired major. It wasn't an easy choice, but I knew it had to be done.

Even though I wont be heading back to Montana next year, I know I'll make a visit soon. I'd love to be able to see more parts of Montana than just Bozeman and Missoula. So, Thanks Montana for an incredible experience that I'll never forget!

[allforcats]

ShawJ, how generous and openhearted of you to publicly say "Thank you" to a state! Thank you for that. How wise of you to understand that the yearnings we feel to be someplace or wander to someplace else are the voice of our own spirit telling us where we'll find our best self.

No matter what paths you choose, know that Life will always show you the best those paths have to offer you. I wish you joy!

[jimj]

It's amazing how we take for granted what the OP finds a life experience. I know I get jaded about where we live and what we see on a daily basis, I'll have to remember that!

[rangerider]

I had much the same experience you did when I first came out here in 1979. I remember traveling south on Hiway 89 back to Livingston and on back east to Chadron NE and college after summer work. The Beartooth front was getting the morning light just south of Clyde Park and I wondered if I would ever get to see that again. I realized what had just went through my mind and made the decision then and there to finish school and then make this state my home.

Had some lean times to start out with but also did a ton of things I would never have gotten to even hear about, much less do, if I had stayed in NE.

I occasionally wax nostalgic about my early years growing up in NE, but you could never tear me away from Montana. This place grabbed hold of me from day one and I could never imagine being anywhere else.

I think it's that feeling that causes myself and others to occasionally get bitter about the changes taking place in the more populated areas.

I encourage you to go and find your path in this life, but return to visit now and then. You might find that the initial feeling you have about our state turns into a gentle nagging draw that will lead you into a life here. Lord knows we need more people that the land draws in rather than the other way around. The first sort tends to respect this place rather than seek to morph it into something it isn't.

Good luck to you wherever you wind up!