Dear Tacoma,
Growing up, I wanted nothing to do with your dirty stinky port self!! I couldn’t wait to leave Tacoma! I wanted to escape the fear of the police chasing people around the house in the middle of the night, the strange sounds coming out of the halfway house next door, and seeing my mom struggle to make ends meet. As a kid, I didn’t understand that you were struggling too. You were struggling to embrace your grit, to thrive in a system that was fractured and crumbling.
Being away for over a decade was the best thing I have ever done! I was able to live in stunning Alaska, circle the globe twice, and visit nearly every state in the US. It was amazing!! I bounced around being a wilderness guide, yoga instructor, tour guide, traveling performer and went to grad school for a couple of years. Turns out, I’m not made out for the “American Dream”. But the pandemic ruined it all!
Coming back to you was not by choice. The pandemic forced me to come back. And I resented it. I am not a person who comes back to their hometown and gets that warm fuzzy feeling. I am not the same person that I was when I left. How am I going to create a community in a pandemic? How am I going to fit into my family, whose values I don’t recognize? How am I going to adventure and live like the wild child I want to be… While locked inside my parents house?!
To say that I was dreading coming back would be an understatement. But it’s been a year and I have to tell you… I was shocked!! I f*cking LOVE Tacoma! Maybe it has always been a cool and underrated place or maybe everyone finally embraced their grittiness. (We may owe Sting a formal apology for that one *cough, cough*) Either way, I want to shout from the rooftops that Tacoma is a rad and underrated place! But at the same time, don’t come here… It is confusing, I know.
Don’t get me wrong, I still want to get back on the road, let my heart wander, and live like I have wings. But I am also very happy getting to experience Tacoma and fall in love with the city.
In honor of my new revelation, I’ve written you, Tacoma, a list of all the reasons I love you.
1) The Parks
They have kept me sane through the pandemic. It’s been vital to be able to go to a park after work, get some healing time in nature, and get a workout.
2) The People
I love the close-knit community feel, in a relatively large city. It’s amazing to see how much support and love has been shown by the community.
3) Our diversity
After finding myself visiting the rural USA, where there is only one skin tone and one religion – I can say with 1000% certainty that our diversity prompts people to grow into more compassionate and empathetic beings.
4) Our adversity and history.
Let’s face it, Tacoma isn’t always on the humane side of history. But we aren’t ones to shy away from that. We understand that living in a fractured system is complicated and nuanced. But every day we strive to create a more accepting, loving, and equitable world.
5) the arts
There are so many incredible artists in Tacoma! PLUS there are tons of options for people to get involved in the arts for free. The arts community gives so much to the city, between art month, monkeyshines, and local artists offering to pass along their time and skills.
6) the small businesses
The small businesses. The small businesses deserve a shout-out because they have pulled out all the stops and pivoted in every possible direction during the pandemic. They showed their grit in all the best ways and fought so hard to keep thriving.
7) the food
I do not remember the food being this good when I was a kid. Like where did all these tasty restaurants and bars come from?! And where did all my money go!?
8) our grit
Our grit. We are resilient, resourceful, and our strength is AMAZING! The ability of Tacomans to rise from the ashes is unparalleled.
Now, Tacoma, don’t let this get to your head.
We are still just trying to survive in this crumbling system while mother earth tries to get rid of a deadly parasite. We are in no way perfect and we have a long way to go. We gotta keep pushing locally and nationally for equity, our community, and our planet. Just like during the pandemic, we can continue to be mindful of where we shop, how we interact with each other, and keep striving for a better world.
