r/Cleveland • u/asapmort • 3h ago
Discussion Thank you, Cleveland. I will always thank this city.
I'm just proud to be here. I had never felt what it was like to have pride in where I live until I moved here. People still tell me I'm crazy all the time when they ask me what brought me here & my response is that I just like it. I just like Cleveland.
And being here has changed me in the ways I'd hoped it would. I think I'm starting to understand the grit of the city. There were times I was so lonely and scared. Being a stranger has been nice because it allowed me to rewrite my own narrative. People only know me for what I share with them, not my past. But for a solid year or so, I felt SO ALONE. 7 hours away from anyone who could help me if I end up stranded or just in a scary situation. I even admitted myself to the psych ward last year when I reached a breaking point. I actually posted here asking for direction during that time. People were kind and helpful, such has been my experience with most things in Cleveland. Kind and helpful Clevelanders, who have overcome their own shit just like I was able to eventually. This city is full of people who shine through the adversity they've overcome. It's inspiring
I had never experienced a real winter, either. Not until I moved up here. I tell myself that the winters are the price I pay for living in a cool place. But dude when I was without a car my first winter here, oooo. I learned real quick how to bundle up. And when I did get transportation back, I learned real quick how to drive in the snow. Lol. You all were also helpful with my winter questions when I posted them a year or two ago as well.
Anyways, I overcame a lot since I moved here simply because I love Cleveland and refuse to leave. It'd have been so easy to pack it up & go back to what I knew. But I wanted to stay in a place that keeps pushing me to grow. A place where I've slowly transitioned from a stranger to a neighbor, a friend, a familiar face, a part of this community.
Coming from a dark red area to a blue city has also been really cool. I can always count on Cleveland to stand up for what's right. I thought it was really neat that Cle showed out for Obama. I also really like how people will post up with signs over the freeway bridges in any weather to make a statement. People in this city will protest. It's nice not being an outlier with my beliefs. I just feel more aligned in a place like this. So yea, I wanted to shout into the void to thank this city for the way it has changed me and my life. And thanks to everyone on this sub that's ever been friendly or helpful. It really meant a lot as I really needed that when I received it.
I hope one day I can contribute to this place the way it has contributed to my personal growth.