Where the Heart Is
On September 11, 2001, two planes brought down The World Trade Center and stunned the world, changing life as we knew it. The War on Terrorism was born. Like many Americans, I can remember the exact details of where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news. Tragedy has a way of cementing the details in our brains. I was in Victoria, Texas, working the day shift at Tyco Plastics. I couldn't comprehend the magnitude of this man-made disaster. I cried in the bathroom, alone in a stall, sure the end of the world was just around the corner. After my tears were spent, I did what I'm sure many others did that fatal day, I called my parents who still live in my hometown.
"Hey dad."
"Hey honey, are you o.k.? You sound like you've been crying."
"I just can't believe it dad. I just can't."
The tears began streaming down my face once more.
" This is just the beginning you know. It's going to get bad and soon."
"I know dad. I know. I'm coming home. I have to come home."
My decision to move back to my hometown was made that day, on September 11. I was tired of living almost 900 miles away from my family. I'd been in Texas for close to 15 years. Now I wanted to be close to my family when the world ended. It took me almost a year to make the move. I became bogged down in financial concerns and logistics. But finally all the stars aligned and I made the move home.
Even though they sometimes drive me crazy and I want to run far away from the insanity, the best thing about living in Arkansas is my family. I left so much behind when I moved from Texas; my best friend, good schools, warm weather, and a terrific town I'd come to love. I felt like I was giving up my whole live to start over.
As I previously stated there is so much I miss about South Texas. I miss the weather, the food, the beaches, my friends, the palm tree in my front yard, wearing shorts year round. But the thing I miss most of all is my best friend, Cat.
We met at a Women's Crisis Center, both of us battered women struggling to reclaim our lives. I was fighting for the return of my children and hers was the shoulder I leaned on when it became more than I could bear. We found an apartment together and helped one another heal. I can remember so many long nights where we sat up drinking coffee, crying, laughing, and bonding. In Cat I found a sister miles away from my nearest blood relative.
My Cat is the thing I miss most about South Texas. We still talk every week or so and we haven't lost touch with one another. I do wish she were closer so I could drive to see her when life kicks me in the pants. She seems so far away now.
"Hey dad."
"Hey honey, are you o.k.? You sound like you've been crying."
"I just can't believe it dad. I just can't."
The tears began streaming down my face once more.
" This is just the beginning you know. It's going to get bad and soon."
"I know dad. I know. I'm coming home. I have to come home."
My decision to move back to my hometown was made that day, on September 11. I was tired of living almost 900 miles away from my family. I'd been in Texas for close to 15 years. Now I wanted to be close to my family when the world ended. It took me almost a year to make the move. I became bogged down in financial concerns and logistics. But finally all the stars aligned and I made the move home.
Even though they sometimes drive me crazy and I want to run far away from the insanity, the best thing about living in Arkansas is my family. I left so much behind when I moved from Texas; my best friend, good schools, warm weather, and a terrific town I'd come to love. I felt like I was giving up my whole live to start over.
As I previously stated there is so much I miss about South Texas. I miss the weather, the food, the beaches, my friends, the palm tree in my front yard, wearing shorts year round. But the thing I miss most of all is my best friend, Cat.
We met at a Women's Crisis Center, both of us battered women struggling to reclaim our lives. I was fighting for the return of my children and hers was the shoulder I leaned on when it became more than I could bear. We found an apartment together and helped one another heal. I can remember so many long nights where we sat up drinking coffee, crying, laughing, and bonding. In Cat I found a sister miles away from my nearest blood relative.
My Cat is the thing I miss most about South Texas. We still talk every week or so and we haven't lost touch with one another. I do wish she were closer so I could drive to see her when life kicks me in the pants. She seems so far away now.