I just got back from a weekend trip to my hometown. It's a place I couldn't wait to leave growing up, but brings back so many memories when I visit. Things are different now and it's harder to go home because after 40 years of marriage, my parents are no longer living together and it really sucks. It's so strange to walk in the door of my "parents" house and no longer see my dad sitting in his chair, watching sports or piddling outside in the yard.
I never wanted that country life growing up, but sometimes when I go back, as soon as I hit town, I roll down the windows and crank up the country music. I ride by my old high school and smell the fresh cut green grass we used to dance on during half time of the football games as part of the drill team and remember how simple life used to be. I dated the same guy during high school and I think about the good times we had, but regret missing hanging out with friends and being all wrapped up in a guy - the story of my life.
Sometimes I wish life were like a Tim McGraw song, and we could just hang out on the front porch watching the kids play in the yard. Does anyone do that anymore? Does this post sound like the song Mayberry by Rascal Flatts to anyone else but me?
I never wanted that country life growing up, but sometimes when I go back, as soon as I hit town, I roll down the windows and crank up the country music. I ride by my old high school and smell the fresh cut green grass we used to dance on during half time of the football games as part of the drill team and remember how simple life used to be. I dated the same guy during high school and I think about the good times we had, but regret missing hanging out with friends and being all wrapped up in a guy - the story of my life.
Sometimes I wish life were like a Tim McGraw song, and we could just hang out on the front porch watching the kids play in the yard. Does anyone do that anymore? Does this post sound like the song Mayberry by Rascal Flatts to anyone else but me?
I totally hear the country songs! :) I'm sorry about the bumming feelings going back, my parents are divorced too, so I know exactly how you feel! My Hubby has always half joked around about wanting to raise our kids on a farm or in the country! I don't know if I could actually do it, but so many things about it sound great! :)
ReplyDeleteI think that post speaks many of the same things we all think about when we return to our hometowns. Very sweet. Nostalgia is a good thing. Have a great week!!
ReplyDeleteDivorce hurts no matter what age, doesn't it?
A good friend of mine grew up in Roxboro...Louis (not his real name), of Rowdy Girl Weekend fame. He's 10-15 years older than you, I'd guess, but he had a younger sister.
ReplyDeleteYea, I also grew up in a small town and at the time I hated it. There are so days I miss it, and would love my kids to grow up in a small town...but other times I am glad to be gone. (SUCH a woman, I can't mkae up my mind--lol)
ReplyDeleteI've been visiting my old stomping grounds the past couple weeks, too. My mom moved out of the house I grew up in about 8 years ago...to a different town... and so it never really feels like going "home". But it's good to get back to small town Iowa once in awhile. And it's even more special now that I have a family of my own.
ReplyDeleteTotally the same for me, especially the spending so much time on one boyfriend thing. *Sigh*. Life's definitely like a country song!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny that you have to leave to learn to love it?
ReplyDeleteI love this post!!! I grew up on the east coast outside NYC, but was born in the south. We have a cabin in west Virginia that makes me feel like rolling down the windows and playing country music too! It makes me think of a carefree childhood I want my son to have!
ReplyDeleteI often do the very same thing! And I also spent too much time with THAT boyfriend from H.S. Thanks for stirring up all those wonderful memories!
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