An Occasional Escape is Often Necessary
Media by Jeff Clos
My wife’s parents own a farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. For the last 15 years, I have enjoyed visiting them and the farm a few times a year. They live roughly five hours from us, and it provides a nice escape from “Suburbia.” When we arrive, I am ever prepared for my cellular signal to die. As good as my service is traveling the interstate from South to North, the signal goes dead once off the beaten path. Often, I remember how crushed I became, knowing I would be cut off from the outside world.
Farm Life
For years I had fought off owning a cellular phone. I believe I was the last of my friends to pull the trigger and make a cellular purchase. Now, in this day and age, I wonder how I ever lived without it. Yet, when I visit the family up North, I live without it just fine. Sure, It was hard in the beginning when I had to schedule our trips to see the in-laws around my phone calls and texts. My co-workers would cringe when I told them I was traveling North for the weekend! How would they ever get along without my input? (they got along just fine)
It took some time getting used to being cut off, but it was also very freeing. I was over checking my phone for missed e-mails and voice mails. Believe it or not, these aren’t going anywhere. Sure there are those customers and friends that feel put off by a lack of instant reply, but they will get over it! The fact is, I feel recharged after a weekend visit to the Upper Peninsula. My wife and I always chalk it up to cleaner country air, but I believe it is more. Removal of all the distractions and stressors of daily life has to be a significant contributor.
Family Farm
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