Growing up in Maine means something special. It means warm summers playing on the road outside our house with other kids from the area. It means shirts stained with chocolate Gifford’s ice cream and fingernails full of the day’s dirt. People outside the state just don’t understand. When our community turns us out into the world, we are armed with things other people just don’t have. A certain love for the land, our family and a good bean dinner are just a few things we hold dear. Here are some other lessons everyone learns growing up in Maine.
- The importance of knowing how to sing.
WIkimedia Commons Specifically, the Counties Song! It may not be a “life” lesson, but for the life of me, I can’t get it out of my head now. That must count for something. “The 16 counties in our state are Cumberland and Franklin…” Can you sing the rest?!
- The necessity of patience.
Bowen Chin / Flickr For many things. Sometimes it was waiting for a snow storm to officially cancel school. Though, you barely knew what that was life. Sometimes it was staring out the window in April wondering how long until summer came. Either way, you know that patience is a virtue.
- Hard work will pay off.
Jack Delano Library of Congress LC-DIG-fsac-1a33844 You help out where you can, even if you’re little. One day, you’ll grow up to have a strong work ethic and you’ll be better for it.
- Life is better with a dog.
smilla4 / Flickr They swim with you in the summer and adventure with you through the snow. Your family dog was more family than dog!
- What makes the perfect dinner.
Robert S. Donovan / Flickr A dinner with ingredients from the side of the road can be the best meal of the day. Pulling over for fiddleheads is reasonable and expected.
- The importance of taking advantage of the weather.
Andres Rodriguez / Flickr When it’s finally warm, get outside! Even if that means your history class is now outdoors. Or, if you have to do your homework somewhere other than the kitchen table. Do NOT waste a nice day.
- Another thing not to waste: the morning.
Kim Seng / Flickr Get up, get moving, get working. We’re strong and we didn’t get that way by wasting the day.
- You’ll use this forever.
Garry Knight / Flickr Even if you leave Maine and never see the sea again. After you’ve learned to tie a bowline, you’ll use it over and over again.
- Your dinner table better be big.
oldonliner / Flickr In some states, this might be Thanksgiving. You’ve learned that you better be able to recreate this on a Tuesday. You never know who will turn up!
- It’s best to already be asleep when your mom gets back from a Grange Bean Supper.
Maine Running Photos / Flickr If she didn’t hear something about YOU, she’s heard something about SOMEONE and will definitely want to talk about it.
- You don’t need to fly to Florida to take a photo with a character.
Kit / Flickr Forget Mickey! You grew up with photos like this from places like the Yarmouth Clam Festival.
- Boots are NOT just for winter.
Need More Mud / Flickr Don’t leave home without your boots during mud season. You’ll regret it. In fact, you might regret leaving even if you do have your boots. And, whatever you do, chuck ’em in the dooryard if this happens before you come in the house!
- Your childhood Maine friends are lifelong.
JAKULL / Flickr Hey, you, in the red hat…these are the guys who will be in your wedding.
What are some of the most important things you learned while coming of age in Maine? Let us know over on Facebook!
WIkimedia Commons
Specifically, the Counties Song! It may not be a “life” lesson, but for the life of me, I can’t get it out of my head now. That must count for something. “The 16 counties in our state are Cumberland and Franklin…” Can you sing the rest?!
Bowen Chin / Flickr
For many things. Sometimes it was waiting for a snow storm to officially cancel school. Though, you barely knew what that was life. Sometimes it was staring out the window in April wondering how long until summer came. Either way, you know that patience is a virtue.
Jack Delano Library of Congress LC-DIG-fsac-1a33844
You help out where you can, even if you’re little. One day, you’ll grow up to have a strong work ethic and you’ll be better for it.
smilla4 / Flickr
They swim with you in the summer and adventure with you through the snow. Your family dog was more family than dog!
Robert S. Donovan / Flickr
A dinner with ingredients from the side of the road can be the best meal of the day. Pulling over for fiddleheads is reasonable and expected.
Andres Rodriguez / Flickr
When it’s finally warm, get outside! Even if that means your history class is now outdoors. Or, if you have to do your homework somewhere other than the kitchen table. Do NOT waste a nice day.
Kim Seng / Flickr
Get up, get moving, get working. We’re strong and we didn’t get that way by wasting the day.
Garry Knight / Flickr
Even if you leave Maine and never see the sea again. After you’ve learned to tie a bowline, you’ll use it over and over again.
oldonliner / Flickr
In some states, this might be Thanksgiving. You’ve learned that you better be able to recreate this on a Tuesday. You never know who will turn up!
Maine Running Photos / Flickr
If she didn’t hear something about YOU, she’s heard something about SOMEONE and will definitely want to talk about it.
Kit / Flickr
Forget Mickey! You grew up with photos like this from places like the Yarmouth Clam Festival.
Need More Mud / Flickr
Don’t leave home without your boots during mud season. You’ll regret it. In fact, you might regret leaving even if you do have your boots. And, whatever you do, chuck ’em in the dooryard if this happens before you come in the house!
JAKULL / Flickr
Hey, you, in the red hat…these are the guys who will be in your wedding.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
