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Monday, August 8, 2016

Going Home


       I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community today. It's always a pleasure to read what everyone writes about their lives.

"You can never go home again, but the truth is you can never leave home, so it's all right." 
                                            Maya Angelou

 
      I've lived forty years in Colorado. I don't remember the first day we arrived, but it was in July, 1976. That's more than half my life, and yet this week I tell people I'm traveling back home to visit family, my brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew, countless cousins. I grew up in Missouri, married in Missouri, spent time there with my husband in Missouri, and left when my daughter was not quite a year, my son was about to turn five. Colorado is certainly their home, and I love it very much, but home to me is Missouri. It's Missouri with the family, Missouri with the rolling green hills, the farms and fields, and reds and oranges of autumn. Missouri with the fascinating insects. Yes, growing up I loved them, those buzzy flying June bugs, the enormous grasshoppers, and the fireflies. No, none are in Colorado. And I miss the bright red cardinals and the Missouri bluebird. There again, not in Colorado.
Taken last year, one view from the cemetery. 
Another view.
        This time my daughter and two granddaughters are making our annual trip back to be with my brother and sister-in-law. Sadly, my grandson Carter can't be with us this year. We will miss him! We'll be visiting others, visiting those no longer with us except in spirit. Yes, we'll make the time to visit many graves, and share memories of so many we remember, and those we call family. We'll drive up and down the streets of the one little town where I grew up, look at the homes of grandparents where we stayed so often, telling stories to the grandchildren, like how I'd roller skate down to the post office to say hello to the postmaster and to check out the wanted posters. And I'm going to see many of my cousins one evening, a much anticipated gathering. They mostly live close, and get together about once a month. This time I'll get to be there!
        Yes, I'm going home.

32 comments:

  1. There is something special about where we are formed. It's not about the years in a place. Glad you are bringing your daughter and the grandgirls to see family. Happy travels!

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    1. Thanks, Julieanne. We've been doing this for several years, so much fun.

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  2. I totally get this! No matter where I live, Massachusetts will always be home!!! Have a wonderful trip!

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  3. Me, too! I have lived in Portland, OR for 22 years, and have become a US citizen, but Canada is always home.

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    1. Thanks for sharing, Adrienne. You know I understand.

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  4. Your words about living somewhere but calling somewhere else home ring so true for me. I hope you have a wonderful time being home with family.

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    1. Thanks, Lisa, it will be a good time I'm sure.

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  5. What a special trip. I still live in the town I grew up in so I can only imagine how wonderful it must be to return to the place that was once home. How great to share it with your granddaughters. Have a great trip!

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    1. I imagine there aren't too many of you still in the same town, Lisa, but that's great. I used to love visiting my husband's hometown to see his old classmates still there. Thanks!

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  6. Linda, enjoy your trip back to where you left a large portion of your heart.

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    1. Thank you, I know it will be good, Bernadette!

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  7. Hope your trip is fabulous. I totally get the idea of going back home. That's California for me.

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    1. Thanks, happy to know about you and California, Jone.

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  8. I have you're going to have a marvelous time in Missouri with all of the girls in tow!

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  9. It's nice that you have family to go home and stroll down memory lane with. Have a lovely time!

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    1. Thanks, lots of family there in Missouri, although not in the same places. I'm the only one out of state except for some cousins' children.

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  10. Happy travels to you Linda! Going home is always special as our memories are mixed in with our feelings and what is happening today.

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    1. I agree Jaana, mixed good memories in all the places.

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  11. I hope you have a delightful trip! This reminds me of a great chat I had with a dear friend in Maine, who has lived in Maine since she was a little girl - the locals all say she is "from away" - Maine isn't home unless your parents were born there! Funny. Love the Maya Angelou quote.

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    1. It's a bit of a story here in Colorado too. People have license plates that say "native". Thanks, Maureen.

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  12. I've lived more than half my life in Louisiana but I still say I am from Mississippi. Going home to where you were a child is special and grounding. Have a great trip!

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    1. Thanks, Margaret, again, fun to hear where you're from!

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  13. Oh Linda, how wonderful! What an amazing time it will be for everyone!

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    1. I'm really looking forward to it, Loralee. Thank you!

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  14. I can feel your excitement; and I'm sure your granddaughters will feel it as well. They will love the story about you skating down to the post office - what a great image!

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    1. Thanks, Lori. It is fun to share with them what I did in my childhood.

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  15. Going home, Linda, your place to be sounds like a wonderful summerscape. I look forward to hearing about your wonderful trip.

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    1. Thanks, Carol, I know I'll share parts of it!

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  16. I've never been to Missouri, other than to drive through at night on our way to Colorado. Your lovely images make me feel the need to visit! Have a wonderful trip with your family, Linda, and enjoy your time at home!

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