For the last few summers I have spent the warm months on a very small island in northern Michigan, Mackinac Island. This little oasis is just 8.2 miles in circumference, and home to around 500 residents throughout the winter. During that time, the town remains very desolate. But in May, Main Street comes alive with tourism. The seasonal shops, restaurants, and attractions reopen, with the anticipation to bring in enough business to sustain their seasonal operation. Hundreds of workers from around the country and world move to find temporary work, and enjoy the island for all of its glory.
Quite frequently I am hit with the question of why I choose to keep coming back. I have always answered that explaining how my passion to stay active is fulfilled here. And that is true; there are endless ways one could spend their day on the island, from biking, to swimming, to running, to hiking, to riding. And with the picturesque scenery, there’s a beautiful backdrop around every turn. But lately a different word has resonated very strongly with me, and that is community.
There is a certain type of person that is attracted to this isolated paradise. While many come from different backgrounds, the type of soul remains the same. I have found that those I surround myself with have a unique zest for life. They are kind, open-minded and willing to drop whatever they are doing to help someone in need. There is a whole fleet of trained volunteer fire personal, meaning that someone is always around the corner to save the day. This is a town of explorers and determined business owners. The busy season is only 6 months of the year, meaning that many put in an absurd amount of work in a half a year, in order to see the world in the remaining time.
Like any other small town, there are negative entities. It remains quite difficult to do any major, or sometimes minor life event without half of the population knowing. This can feel invasive as times, but I honestly think that it has made me a more virtuous person. I am not concerned as to who is watching how many times a week I step foot into church, but more so, how I am actively striving every day to resemble the Lord’s love. I don’t feel that I have freedom taken away, but instead a blessing of support that just wants the best for my future. This town has a beautiful heartbeat, and while I don’t personally own an iconic house on the water, it certainly is my home.
