Haphazard Observations

Wynonna said, “you can’t go Home again”, but is that true? (Song “Flies on the butter” -Wynonna) I have been away from my Hometown for about 9 years now. Not all that long I suppose, yet it feels like a whole other lifetime ago. I have been back only for a short time, and I have been pondering this question, and I suppose it depends on your definition of “Home.”

“Home” in its simplest definition is a basic location geographically on a map. Certainly you can return to that space on the earth again. But isn’t a Home much more than a location, more than just a spot on earth? It’s a collection of businesses, places, landmarks, events that created a world of its own. Does that make it “Home?” If so, those things are definitely not the same since I’ve been back. I see businesses boarded up, loved ones and pillars of the community have passed away. Some of my favorite places and people are gone, some have endured great hardships. I don’t recognize many of the people on the street and in the shops. Things are familiar yet brand new simultaneously. Does that mean it isn’t “Home?”

I think “Home” is a place, yes, but more so, a combination of time and people and experiences that help build you as a person. Those combinations of things are what is impossible to recreate. The feeling of winning a High School football game in the last few seconds, the glance of your crush from across the commons area, a neighbor that helped your family in time of crisis, the comfort of schoolmates that have been with you since 1st grade. I don’t think we would have called it comfort back then, but there was an ease to seeing the same 50 or so faces year after year that we just didn’t understand back then.

I believe “Home” is also people. When I drive around this place, I see familiar faces, mostly older. It reminds me that I have somehow suddenly stepped into the next generation. I am the ‘grandparent’ generation now. So, those who I always saw as the “adults” are showing more age than I’d like to see. Many of the children of my classmates are now business owners and executives even though that generation are still the “kids” in my mind.

“Home” is comfort, and familiarity. There are many of the same people doing the same things they were when I left. Many people still know me, call me by name when they see me. That’s the benefit of small town living – generational living. Some of those people know me as me, others know me as Arlo and Mickey’s granddaughter, even some as the “Rietz Boys Mom” and I am happy to be known as all of them. Everyone has been welcoming, “Glad to see you’re Home,” “It’s good to have you back.” If anyone has been disappointed they have been polite enough to keep it to themselves. LOL The point is, when you are “Home” you are known. There is a comfort in that. There is a community tie that surpasses the time of your absence. You hear alot about how things are so terrible in the world these days, and Lord knows there are trials. I’d venture to say that small town, community, tradition and generational living is alive and well.

If you really listen to Wynonna’s song lyrics, she is talking about Home being the feelings and emotions and comfort of the past. Childhood memories, young love, family traditions. Yes, those are things you can’t get back. Once those times have passed they are gone for good. It’s a reminder to savor the days you have. Soak up as much of it as you can.

Couldn’t it also be a reminder that we are all the “next generation up” now? We have all stepped up a rung on the ladder and it is now OUR responsibility to make this place, these memories, these experiences whatever they are, “Home” to the next ones. We are the ones to make the county fair amazing, to support each other in times of need, to foster community and build on the prior generations.

It’s up to the ones older than me to continue to tell us their stories, and for my generation to listen and learn as much as we can. The generation behind mine, it’s your time to raise up the young ones. Show them what is important, hang on for dear life during their teen years and hug them at graduation. Support each other. These years are hard. You’re working, trying to make a living, trying to raise families, and all while still just figuring out life in general. You will make it, I promise. Just keep one foot in front of the other.

All together I believe, “Home” is a physical location, yes, but also people, attitudes, experiences and history. It is much more about where you choose to put your heart, where generations invest their time and lives to grow communities more than it is a location.

So, can you come Home again?
Yes, of course.
Will it all look and feel exactly the same?
No. It is our responsibility to carry the torch for the next ones in line.
Does that make it less than amazing?
Absolutely not.