This is very beautiful Eric.
I did, physically, move back to the town I was born in, and lived for 18 years, until I fled thinking almost anywhere else would be better than here. Nearly fifty years later, this town became the right place for me to live. I'm very happy here, happier than I've been almost anywhere else. This could be because, as you say I've found my
home that comes with you wherever you go
but I do believe I now live among the kind of folks who shaped my worldview as a youngster, and I can be more myself here as a result. Hillbillies and engineers, hunters and vegans, dems and repubs... We are well balanced in these parts, which borders on Appalachia.
Thank you my friend. I've been a "city boy" my entire life but am feeling such gravity towards the countryside or a small town now at 52. I view cities as places to visit but they don't hold much fascination anymore beyond that.
You're lucky to have settled back in a place as balanced and diverse as that. That definitely sounds like the kind of town I'm looking for.