Kelly Stifler

October 16, 2010

Human Geography

The day will come when my schooling will be done and I’ll no longer be able to be dependent on my parents.  I’ll have to make decisions about my future.  I’ll need to know where I’m going to live, and what I’m going to do.   While these decisions won’t come without much thought and inspiration, my life experiences thus far have led me to two vastly different destinations.

Every country describes itself in some way, shape or form.  One country that has touched my heart is Africa. I would be able to serve the less fortunate, by rebuilding houses, providing clean water, and getting medicine to cure diseases.  Africa itself is a beautiful place.  The wildlife is stunning, and the landscape is beautiful in some areas.  There are over 100,000 different types of animals housed in Africa, such as the giraffe, the elephant, the gazelle, the rhino, the lion, etc.  No other country in the world is known to house this many animals. 

There are many different forces pulling me to Africa.  Africa provides a sense of adventure.  I’d be stepping into the unknown. Adventure is something around which my life revolves around.  I love the sense of adrenaline and thrill running through my body. But more importantly, God has directed me. He has for a reason.  I would be able to serve God by reaching out to the less fortunate.  There are also, several things pushing me away from Africa.  Africa is infested with diseases and death.  Nearly 14 million children have lost one, or both parents due to HIV/AIDS.  I’d have difficulty living in Africa, not only because of the diseases, but because it is nearly 5,000 miles away from my family and friends, I would become homesick.

Leaving Harford County and moving to Africa would have its positive and negative effects.  The upside of moving away to Africa would be the opportunities it provides.  I would have the opportunity to explore the continent, and marvel at its wildlife.  I could make a difference in the community, and possibly save lives.    The downside to moving to Africa would be the fear of the unknown.  Africa is so different from Maryland, that I wouldn’t know what to expect.  I’d be stepping into a completely unknown territory.  When migrating from a wealthy country, to a third-world country, there will be several things needed to be left behind, such as personal items and family. 

The second destination I would like to move to is the old, familiar, Harford County.  I’d like to stay here because it’s my hometown.  I’m familiar with it.  The environment here is great, although completely different from Africa’s.  Harford County has more of a suburban surrounding.  There are several things pulling me to stay in Harford County.  One major reason I’d love to stay in Harford County is my family.  All my family and friends live here, and it’s great to have them at arm’s length.  Also, my home church is here.  My entire family attends my church, and the church body is great. 

There are a few upsides and downsides to staying here in Harford County.  It can be a very boring county.  There aren’t many attractions, or thrilling activities.  Living in the same place my entire life would mean not having a fresh start.  I could never start over, or start fresh.  My past would linger on to me, and everyone would know me as who I was.   Although, while there are downsides, there are still several upsides. My family is well known throughout Harford County, in a positive way.  This would provide me a chance to speak out, and be heard.  I could make differences around the community. 

Staying in Harford County, or moving to Africa both sound appealing to me.  My main goal when I move is to move to a place where I can make a difference and please God. 

                Each human being has ancestors.  They’re each derived from a certain place, whether it’s England, or Africa.  Most of us don’t care to look back into our history, to discover where we came from.  However, I did.

 I came from Ireland.  Nearly 150 years ago, my great-great grandmother, Esthma Otilla Fitzwater married Omer Wilson, and proceeded to move to the America’s.  They settled in West Virginia, and had six children, named Bergie Mae Wilson, Archibald Lee, Cloyd Leon, Mable Louise, Omer Baldwin, by whom they called Billy, and Joel James. The eldest, Bergie Mae Wilson married Charles Fredrick Cunningham, and gave birth to thirteen children, Charles Fredrick Cunningham Jr., Margaret, James Edward, Clyde, Robert Lee, Willa Mae, Paul Edward, Elizabeth Ann, William Joel, Patricia Louise, Mable Jane, Mary Virginia, John Colon, and Harold Joseph.  Clyde, the fourth baby born, died when he was 9 months old due to choking on an orange peel.  Each child lived to be at least thirty, and seven are still alive today, Paul, Elizabeth, Patricia, Mable, Mary, John, and Harold. 

Mary Virginia Lindeman is my grandmother.  She gave birth to two children, Dena Lindeman, and Donna Lindeman.  Donna Lindeman is my mother.  She married Thomas Stifler, and gave birth to my sister and me, Sara and Kelly Stifler. 

"HIV and AIDS in Africa." AIDS & HIV Information from the AIDS Charity AVERT. Web. 18 Oct. 2010. <http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-africa.htm>.