Thanks Tiff for reading. Some sharing with the kids would be nice. I miss the original house but more the one Mom and Dad had last. The swing was great.

My favorite Taylor Swift song (a reflection of my time) has a line, “I grew up in a pretty house and I had space to run, and I had the best days with you.” This is the life I want to create for my kids. Even growing up on a military base, a home I cannot return to, I know this was true for me.

Keep writing. We’re reading. 🙂

PS – MK has the porch swing. He said he’ll make a replica for me. It’d make a nice addition to my porch.

I decided to write some of my posts to let my kids and grandkids know what my life was like before they knew me. My wife will make appearances shortly.

There is a country song that I feel reflects my life. A young man is complaining about his life. A senior tells him “the highs will be higher than the lows low.” I hope that is true for everyone!

This was 1972. Viet Nam demonstrations were going strong. I was a star with my family but society was less accepting. Perhaps that tainted my feelings. Everything was different – people and places.
Treasure being able to go home to loved ones. I miss not being able to. Cousins, nephews and nieces do not replace parents and siblings in one’s heart.

Makes me think of happy and sad days long gone. Makes me wonder what memories we’re making for our daughters.

When I go back to my home town, I almost don’t recognize parts of it. The parts that haven’t changed much are the parts that I now appreciate more – all of the shops in downtown selling antiques or homewares. I suppose it’s easier for me because I wasn’t as happy where we lived before, so I don’t get nostalgic. I’m in a better place, as are most of my family. And, it’s a bit of a surprise to find that everybody is genuinely happy to see me.

I can go home again, because we’ve made a better home for ourselves there. I wonder if that makes it all worth it.