Toledo Is...

Fellow VISTA Maureen and I went to a networking event last week in Toledo. An early evening, stand-around-with-drinks, schmoozy sort of event.

On our nametages, along with our names, we were asked to think of one word to finish the phrase "Toledo is ______".

Most people seemed to come up with a work immediately, but Mo and I just stood there staring blankly at our blank nametags. Finally, we started the phrase, writing "Toledo is" -- but then just stared at it some more.

I'm not sure why I had so much trouble coming up with a word. Maybe it's because I'm from here and it's just always BEEN here, around me, with no first impression recorded. Maybe it's because there are so MANY memories. But it's hard to sum up what Toledo is to me in ONE WORD.

Some examples we saw around the room as we mingled included: home, lively, quiet, cold, friendly, on the move.

Looking out the window where we stood by the sign-in table onto the rather dreary-looking gray downtown buildings as the sun began to set, I don't know that I would have any great love for this city if it wasn't home. But it is. So that's what it is.

Toledo is home...again.