A Calling Back to Cleveland

Creative Commons Attribution, The Cleveland Kid "The Market *explored*", via Flickr

I'm writing this post in response to a Facebook group I joined (and was created) this weekend.  Cleveland Boomerangs celebrates those who have returned to their hometown and allows us to share our stories with one another.  I don't think a group like this would exist in any other city, or at least not with the momentum that this one has picked up in just the last 24 hours.

A year ago this week, I quit my job in Columbus.  I'm not quite sure what happened.  All of a sudden, after 6 years living in Columbus, I NEEDED to return to my hometown.  I needed Cleveland.  I needed the city, the lake, the people.  I hung around Columbus for a few more months before I packed up my belongings and headed home.

My story isn't as interesting as those who have traveled the world and boomerang-ed back, or as those who have put down serious roots thousands of miles away, only to rip them out of the ground and come home.  I do, however, know what I love about this place.  I know what brought me back.

There is an opportunity in Cleveland to affect and create positive change while connecting with incredibly authentic personalities and people.  The opportunity is accessible and plentiful.  There is no better time to jump back into my city and participate.

Inspiring young professionals abound in Cleveland.  They care not only about seeing our city change, but about nourishing our rich culture while transforming us into a modern, special place to live.  Bloggers like WhyCLE, Hungry in Cleveland, and 100 Days in Cleveland are inspiration to document place-making moments and community-building events.  We are lucky that technology has advanced to allow Cleveland to do what it does best - share great stories and experiences.

This is the place to be for people who care about where they live and care about their neighbors.

Look at us!  We're filming movies, attracting tons of press about our culinary scene, and making advances in health care.  And it's only getting better, everyday.

I've been observing Cleveland for 24 years, and now it's time for me to jump in.  So, here I go.  Here I am.