Someone's home.

 

“Hold on, to me as we go

As we roll down this unfamiliar road

And although this wave is stringing us along

Just know you're not alone

'Cause I'm going to make this place your home.”

I have written about never forgetting your home and where you come from—but with the way people live, and often move away to other places, sometimes it gets confusing where your truly come from and where your real home is. Confused, of course we are!

When I think about where I grew up, and how I lived the majority of my life prior to college in one home, I know it’s not the normal course. I was talking with someone the other day and they were commenting how he sold the home he grew up in and was so relieved when it was “leveled and re-built into a new home.” His feelings, and I completely understand, was…”It was the home where I grew up and I really didn’t want to share those memories with anyone else.”  Amen.

What’s really interesting is when you meet someone from where you grew up, or have lived for a long time— the feeling of belonging is instant. When I used to travel to St. Louis for business, it didn’t matter if they knew me prior to the meeting, it was that I grew up there….and of course, where I went to high school! 

Living in Chicago I hear a lot about St. Louis. It’s rarely that they love visiting, it’s usually how much they detest the baseball team—this past year it was the hockey team. If you have ever been to a game where the Blackhawks play the Blues, you know the word “rivalry” is not enough—-“hated foes” is more appropriate. 

If you want to risk it, wear a Cardinals jersey in Chicago, or one of the Cubs in St. Louis. The closest I get to that is when I wear my “Spirits of St. Louis” ABA basketball sweatshirt around where I live. The team has been defunct for decades and no one remembers…I do!

The photo above was not taken in Illinois or Missouri…it was taken in Oklahoma. I came upon a site I knew I had to capture. Whereas it might appear to be rural America, it was on the outskirts of Oklahoma City. Although I didn’t grow up there, knowing this area was someone’s hometown, I felt right at home.

Thanks for stopping by.