http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Can't_Go_Home_Again
Me!! I say you can never go home again!
I have lived here 4 years now. Each year since I have been here my daughter has gone with me the Friday before Memorial Day to put flowers on my husband’s grave. It is not my home anymore. My house has changed, there are very few signs of growth in this little town of less than 5,000. My old friends are still there but each year when I see them I can see that they have aged in the past year. I have aged too, a lot. The fact that I am a survivor still seems unreal to me.
We ran into an old friend when we first got to town when we stopped at Hardee’s for a potty break. There selling poppies was an old friend that I hadn’t seen for at least 10 years or so. My daughter and I each purchased a poppy and I got caught up with DeLoris and the friends we had in common. After we left I remarked to my daughter how old my friend looked and I asked her do I look that old? My daughter, ever the diplomat, said ‘I think you look about the same mom.’ Not the right thing to say to your mom! Right??
https://www.alaforveterans.org/Programs/Poppy/
My poppy. Thank you to all of our veterans!
After visiting with some old friends and hugs and declarations of love and friendship we headed for the cemetery .
Then I told my old home goodbye till I visit next year, the good Lord willing and the creeks don’t rise.
Stay safe on this holiday weekend. Do not not drink and drive or text and drive which is just as deadly! Be happy!!
Beth
Going back is painful that is so true..I have fond memories of our old home but it looks nothing like it used to. There is rumor that they will sell it and it will get TORN down. I just gasped thinking about it and then remembered it is not your home any more. I send you big hugs and hope the prayers give you some comfort too. XOXO Sis..
ReplyDeleteMaybe the meant you look the same as you did ten years ago :) that's how I would have taken it. Always a bittersweet feeling to go back home isn't it? It always fills me with a mix of emotions. I enjoy the nostalgic feeling but I also love that I have made my own life elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteBless your heart, Beth. I hope you can feel more up lifted through this weekend. When I go to the cemetery, my heart feels heavy with sense of loss....of my loved ones. At least, I can drive to my town and visit the old neighborhood. It's just 5 miles away. Hugs to you dear friend, xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteyou are beautiful the way you are, a survivor, the past is just that, the past, I agree, we can never go back,
ReplyDeletePeople change and houses change. It's interesting to return to past places and see what other people have done to your house.
ReplyDeleteI see where you wrote you are having Memorial Day, will have to look that up but can guess..
bittersweet...
ReplyDeleteWhen I asked my husband if I was looking older, "tactfully" replied, "well, this has been a tough year..." Oh well. Growing older is better than the alternative, as they say. I haven't seen those poppies being sold at all here in Arizona. I am going to keep my eyes open for them this weekend and buy one if I see them. Glad you got to go back and see you old house/neighborhood. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteI'm seeing my age everyday and I don't dare ask my children. The lines are getting deeper and the knees are getting weaker. ugh. In my mind, I'm 35 instead of 53! Precious memories for you and blessing to you. I remember the veterans giving out poppies every year. Does anyone still do that?
ReplyDeleteAnd we start to notice our children aging, it really gets scary! Always a fun read here, Beth!
ReplyDeleteWe spent awhile in our former neighborhood yesterday. No desire to live there again, but we will continue to visit friends there. By the pictures, it appears that you have been fortunate to live in some lovely places. Rearing a daughter who is a diplomat is not an easy feat, either.:-) xo Nellie
ReplyDeleteEach time I visit Dallas, I go by my old home. I don't know why because all it does is depress me. The new owners are not taking good care of it. They have painted the trim a horrendous shade of blue (the house is pale yellow) They have let a tree grow up through the hedge and the fence in the back has been taken over by morning glories. The flower beds are bare. The deck is no longer stained. It makes me ill. I'm going out to visit my mom later today. She is only 1/2 mile from my house so I can visit her anytime, but always go on this weekend. Miss her.
ReplyDeleteI happened to drive by the home today that my husband and I purchased when we moved from Wisconsin to Michigan in 1975. The rock wall is still there, still a White House, different color trim though. It looked like the people living there now had some trees removed in the woods. I remained there in the house after my husband died suddenly.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have nice memories from our past but nice too, to move on and enjoy where we are now in our life. : )
ReplyDeleteHome is wherever I happen to be. No point in going back.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
My iPad locked up . . .
ReplyDelete. . . when he died suddenly in 1980 . . . I remained there until our children were finished with school and had gone off to college. And then I sold our home and moved closer to where I worked in another city.
The memories were stirred today by driving by my house and then reading your post. Plus I was going to the cemetery too . . .
Each of us have many chapters in our life . . . I think going home, remembering, reflecting . . . can be a very good thing.
Happy weekend Beth Marie . . . I agree, a day to thank those who help keep us free and those who died trying to do the same. I fly my flag with a pride of
I am an AMERICAN,
Every time we hear of a friend's departure from this world we know that what once was will never be again. It is the same with old neighborhoods. We are left with memories.
ReplyDeleteThings are always evolving..natural or not. Oh, I dunno how many homes we lived on base that are no more. And that is very sad. Because those were some of the sweetest memories growing up. I'm glad you had some special time with your daughter and some good conversations too. Hope you do something fun this weekend!
ReplyDeleteA very bitter sweet entry Beth, we never forget!! My Jersey boy Jon Bon Jovi sings a great song about this!!
ReplyDeleteI have not had alcohol since high school and I can't drive.....no way for me to break the law! Have a wonderful weekend Beth!!
Memories can be beautiful, Beth. Both of the homes I lived in growing up are still in my heart and mind. The fields of wild oats around us in the first one, and the old barn in back of the place, as well as the huge Pepper Tree that we had a tire swing on. And much more. But they can't take away what is in my memory and heart. I am unable to travel any more so I will not see either house again. But they will always be a part of me. The memories of family too, like the Walton's. Have a good weekend and Monday. Have some ice cream. It makes one feel young again. Bertie
ReplyDeleteYou are such a blessing Beth! Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely share, Beth. I can relate to so much of it. I live in a small town of about 3000 year round residents...and all of us keep getting older.
ReplyDeleteI wish you peace and blessings,
Barb
I agree. You can't go home again. Even if you try to, it is never the same.
ReplyDeleteNever the same when you go home years later.
ReplyDeleteHappy Memorial Day! :)