My Journey to Becoming a Montanan
Marilyn Olson
It took me moving here to really begin seeing just how little I knew about life beyond the “big city”. Of course, part of that is due to
maturing over the years. I grew up in a fairly large city and took things for granted. Looking back I remember my small
neighborhood as literally "being" the whole city! I never got to know life beyond that neighborhood. I still can't say to this day that I
even know what makes that city thrive. I never wanted for anything. It was all right there; 7/11's every block; multiple malls; people
outside in their driveways shining their cars on the weekends; you know, normal city life.
But when I made the choice to move to Montana, it was not a happy time in my life, a divorcee with two young children, no direction
and no idea what I was doing. All I knew was that I wanted a good life for my children and somewhere in my heart; I had to trust that
it was the right decision. Suddenly I realized just how removed I was from what I deemed civilization...pick up trucks everywhere,
logging trucks running in every direction, no street lights at night, pitch black; one mall at the time and no nationally recognized
stores at that, except for JC Penney. There was no Home Depot; Costco or Sam's Club; so many privately owned businesses and
everyone seemed related. I was definitely an outsider. Rather than judging it, I found it to be exciting, but I did question myself a
time or two as to how I was going to make it. I was broke of course, so those little luxuries died pretty fast for me; the fake nails
came off; eating out was not an option.
A few months later I met my husband, Scott and once again my life changed. That was the true beginning of a new life for me. He
has taught me so much that I wish that everyone had someone like him in their life. He opened my eyes to a whole new world;
teaching me things I never otherwise would have known. I also acquired a mother-in-law, Arlene, who has got to be the most
angelic, strong and genuine woman I have ever met. The things I have learned over the past sixteen years, I give credit to both of
them.
I think most locals would agree, one can't just visit this place, build a home here and call themselves a "Montanan". It is earned
through learning, understanding and respecting a different way of life. Rather than taking the time for those things, many choose to
return to where they are most comfortable and have what they consider the "luxuries of life", taking for granted things in their daily
lives just as I once did. This isn't to say that people in the big city don't know these things, but I take great pride in what I have
learned and I want to share them with you. Becoming a Montanan has taught me to be self sufficient; to have a deep appreciation
for how things are made; how precious time really is; to learn and want to live within my means; to deeply love with all my heart; to
continuously explore and discover.
So how could I possibly relate to the everyday people of Sheridan County you ask? What qualifies me? The best way to answer that
is to just be myself and let you decide; share who I am, and where I've been. Perhaps I might peak your interest in exploring new
ideas and subtle ways to incorporate them into your daily lifestyle. My personal history is extremely diversified; allowing me to relate
to people with many different lifestyles and views. I am of the generation that is stuck somewhere between old school verses new
school. Over the past twenty years, I have experienced divorce; being at the bottom alone; how to forgive those that have hurt me
deeply; what it's like to be in a food line and on welfare temporarily; the joys of building a life with someone so very special; raising
three beautiful and healthy children; being a foster parent; what it's like to have a great paying job (for this area); the emptiness that
comes with death and dying; bad business deals; and unemployment. Yet I still consider myself blessed by God. By His grace, I
have survived it all and plan to write about similar human interests; incorporating them with the goals of educating alternatives for
sustainable living. Other writings will include information on topics that I have found off the beaten path throughout Sheridan
County; the kind that just might inspire you to get involved in your community or research and start something new.
My only wish is that you will open your hearts and minds without judgment to learning new things; to reach out to others; to know
that's it's OK to fail sometimes as long as you learn from it; to respect other people's way of life; to recognize how useful each of us
can be when we pool our efforts to get things done to reach a common goal; to break down stereotypes; and to count your
blessings each and every day.
I welcome your comments and look forward to meeting some of you as I return to Antelope for its 100 Year Centennial Celebration
on July 3, 2010! I hope to visit other surrounding centennial celebrations that week if time permits. In the meantime, please know
that your emails are always welcome!
Marilyn Olson
- I grew up in the south never thinking about this place other than being "the middle of nowhere" as some like
to say. I never once stopped to realize the sacrifices I was making when I moved here to raise my children,
but what a blessing it has been.
Many people come to Montana every year from all over the world to visit the national parks. They find it so awe
inspiring that they buy land and/or build their second and third homes here; seeking solitude away from the
fast lane. As we well know, Montana thrives on tourism, but those who come here rarely take the time to meet
the "locals" and understand what it's like to live and work here; what makes a Montanan so different from the
rest of the country.
It took me moving here to really begin seeing just how little I knew about life beyond the “big city”. Of course, part of that is due to
maturing over the years. I grew up in a fairly large city and took things for granted. Looking back I remember my small
neighborhood as literally "being" the whole city! I never got to know life beyond that neighborhood. I still can't say to this day that I
even know what makes that city thrive. I never wanted for anything. It was all right there; 7/11's every block; multiple malls; people
outside in their driveways shining their cars on the weekends; you know, normal city life.
But when I made the choice to move to Montana, it was not a happy time in my life, a divorcee with two young children, no direction
and no idea what I was doing. All I knew was that I wanted a good life for my children and somewhere in my heart; I had to trust that
it was the right decision. Suddenly I realized just how removed I was from what I deemed civilization...pick up trucks everywhere,
logging trucks running in every direction, no street lights at night, pitch black; one mall at the time and no nationally recognized
stores at that, except for JC Penney. There was no Home Depot; Costco or Sam's Club; so many privately owned businesses and
everyone seemed related. I was definitely an outsider. Rather than judging it, I found it to be exciting, but I did question myself a
time or two as to how I was going to make it. I was broke of course, so those little luxuries died pretty fast for me; the fake nails
came off; eating out was not an option.
A few months later I met my husband, Scott and once again my life changed. That was the true beginning of a new life for me. He
has taught me so much that I wish that everyone had someone like him in their life. He opened my eyes to a whole new world;
teaching me things I never otherwise would have known. I also acquired a mother-in-law, Arlene, who has got to be the most
angelic, strong and genuine woman I have ever met. The things I have learned over the past sixteen years, I give credit to both of
them.
I think most locals would agree, one can't just visit this place, build a home here and call themselves a "Montanan". It is earned
through learning, understanding and respecting a different way of life. Rather than taking the time for those things, many choose to
return to where they are most comfortable and have what they consider the "luxuries of life", taking for granted things in their daily
lives just as I once did. This isn't to say that people in the big city don't know these things, but I take great pride in what I have
learned and I want to share them with you. Becoming a Montanan has taught me to be self sufficient; to have a deep appreciation
for how things are made; how precious time really is; to learn and want to live within my means; to deeply love with all my heart; to
continuously explore and discover.
So how could I possibly relate to the everyday people of Sheridan County you ask? What qualifies me? The best way to answer that
is to just be myself and let you decide; share who I am, and where I've been. Perhaps I might peak your interest in exploring new
ideas and subtle ways to incorporate them into your daily lifestyle. My personal history is extremely diversified; allowing me to relate
to people with many different lifestyles and views. I am of the generation that is stuck somewhere between old school verses new
school. Over the past twenty years, I have experienced divorce; being at the bottom alone; how to forgive those that have hurt me
deeply; what it's like to be in a food line and on welfare temporarily; the joys of building a life with someone so very special; raising
three beautiful and healthy children; being a foster parent; what it's like to have a great paying job (for this area); the emptiness that
comes with death and dying; bad business deals; and unemployment. Yet I still consider myself blessed by God. By His grace, I
have survived it all and plan to write about similar human interests; incorporating them with the goals of educating alternatives for
sustainable living. Other writings will include information on topics that I have found off the beaten path throughout Sheridan
County; the kind that just might inspire you to get involved in your community or research and start something new.
My only wish is that you will open your hearts and minds without judgment to learning new things; to reach out to others; to know
that's it's OK to fail sometimes as long as you learn from it; to respect other people's way of life; to recognize how useful each of us
can be when we pool our efforts to get things done to reach a common goal; to break down stereotypes; and to count your
blessings each and every day.
I welcome your comments and look forward to meeting some of you as I return to Antelope for its 100 Year Centennial Celebration
on July 3, 2010! I hope to visit other surrounding centennial celebrations that week if time permits. In the meantime, please know
that your emails are always welcome!
I am your mother-in-law's cousin, therefore, Scott's 2nd cousin and by marriage, your cousin, too. Hope to meet you
in person someday. You sound like a very likable person. Mt is where I was born and where my heart is still. Glad
you like it, too.
Kathy Galloway
kathy-larryG@msn.com
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................
There are so many great stories waiting to be told and Montana holds many of them. It is a great place both east
and west and I to am glad to call it home! Looking forward to reading your column.
Eva
grandmahoot@hotmail.com
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................
Thanks for sharing your wonderful story! I, too, moved from a big city, Chicago, to Froid in 2005 and married a
special man I met in college, 40 years ago. Now I'm the librarian in Froid and discovering all the richness of this life
as you have described so well. Come visit the Froid Centennial July 2-4. See our website with the Centennial
schedule at froidmt.com
Pattie Thompson
redcat1155@yahoo.com
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................
Welcome Aboard!
Tami
Damntam123@aol.com
....................................................................................................................................................................................................
in person someday. You sound like a very likable person. Mt is where I was born and where my heart is still. Glad
you like it, too.
Kathy Galloway
kathy-larryG@msn.com
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................
There are so many great stories waiting to be told and Montana holds many of them. It is a great place both east
and west and I to am glad to call it home! Looking forward to reading your column.
Eva
grandmahoot@hotmail.com
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................
Thanks for sharing your wonderful story! I, too, moved from a big city, Chicago, to Froid in 2005 and married a
special man I met in college, 40 years ago. Now I'm the librarian in Froid and discovering all the richness of this life
as you have described so well. Come visit the Froid Centennial July 2-4. See our website with the Centennial
schedule at froidmt.com
Pattie Thompson
redcat1155@yahoo.com
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................
Welcome Aboard!
Tami
Damntam123@aol.com
....................................................................................................................................................................................................