Kid’s we live in Topeka, Kansas.
It is not glamorous or pretentious. It is very midwestern.
In a lot of ways, I don’t really feel like I fit in here as a lawyer who went to private school, who likes fine dining, musical theater, and argyle socks. But nonetheless, I like it here. I like that I have memories on every street corner. I like running into people I know most places. I like that it is a humble Capital city. I like that people out west think Topeka is dangerous. I like that Kansas City thinks its too small. I don’t care what Lawrence thinks of us. But most importantly it is my home and I liked the feeling of returning home after college to try and dig my own roots deeper here. (This is a very difficult thing for my wife who grew up in the army moving every 2 years. Her sense of “home” is very different.)
One thing is for sure, Topeka is a unique place to decide to stay. I discussed this very issue with a mentor of mine, Dave Schneider, when I came back to for Law School and I was thinking out loud about going somewhere else after I finished. He told me that the place you live doesn’t really matter that much. It’s the relationships with people that matter so wherever you live, focus on developing deep relationships. Many of my closer friends have left, but here I remain, in Topeka.
The Moviegoer, Walker Percy’s brilliant exploration of existential malaise, describes the mysterious Genie-Soul which resides in all cities. When you enter a new City, the Genie-Soul descends upon you and rests on your shoulder. He aptly contrasts the Genie-Souls of southern and northern cities, as well as his dislike for that of Chicago. (San Francisco is the only Genie-Soul which had gotten the better of Walker Percy’s unhappy character.)
This idea makes me ponder the Genie-Soul of my own hometown and domicile, Topeka, Kansas. Every day I drive over the Kansas River and the bridge rises to the point of not quiteoverlooking the aging buildings that make up its modest, but lovely skyline. I pull into my building where I go up a elevator to my 11th floor office (a bit of a novelty in this town). My office looks southernly. You can see the Capitol with the brown copper dome. For most of my life this top had been patina green. I honestly miss the green dome which was a unique blend of beauty and decay, although the bright polished copper was a regal sight unto itself while it lasted. The copper has now settled into a much more apt dark brown.
Topeka’s Genie-Soul is an older man. He was raised by warrior-preacher John Brown. Topeka’s Genie-Soul is the intersection of big city poverty and small town dignity. He is very tired. But he is not without his charm. As long as you’re not looking for a fight, he will join you for a kindly beer or Jim Beam. He appears to be waiting for something. I am not sure what, but here I am, waiting with him, expectantly.