Opinion | An open letter to the Annunciation School families and community from a former Minneapolitan

Key Takeaways:

• The author’s enduring connection to Minneapolis explains the personal stake in local events.
• Annunciation School is at the heart of this open letter, emphasizing the power of community.
• “Here” remains part of one’s identity, no matter how far life takes them.
• Emotional resonance underlines how memories shape reactions to current happenings.
• Readers get insight into the lingering sense of belonging that persists long after moving away.

The Personal Ties to ‘Here’

“It hurts when it happens here — because ‘here’ is so much a part of us, wherever we are.” With these words, Dick Schwartz, a former Minneapolitan, captures a simple but heartfelt truth: once a place becomes woven into our identity, no amount of distance truly separates us from it. From childhood memories to the values that shaped us, every aspect of “here” resonates in ways that few other connections do.

Addressing the Annunciation School Community

Schwartz directs his letter specifically to the families and community of Annunciation School. While the full details of the matter at hand remain personal to that community, his writing reveals a powerful sense of empathy and solidarity. The letter suggests that to him—and to many who share his background—Annunciation School is more than just an institution; it is a symbol of the city’s communal spirit and neighborhood pride.

Being a Former Minneapolitan

Though he no longer resides in Minneapolis, Schwartz underscores the paradox many find themselves in: leaving a place physically but never truly leaving it behind. Experiences from youth, connections made, and values learned endure. They fuse with one’s sense of self, forging an unwavering bond to “home,” even after making a new life elsewhere.

Why It Hurts When It Happens Here

Those abiding memories explain why, even from afar, news from “here” can unsettle us so deeply. Whether a challenging event, political development, or community matter, it resonates powerfully for those who grew up within Minneapolis city limits. As Schwartz’s words show, feeling connected to “here” can be both a source of pride and occasional heartbreak. It’s the natural product of identities stirred by beloved schools, familiar streets, and a deep conviction that who we became is largely thanks to the city and community that shaped us.