The Shortest Nostalgia Trip Ever
Earlier this last year, my parents moved out of Raleigh, where we have lived since 1983. I think many of us have faced the sort of mental upheaval this causes in our concept of "home". In my case, I was still able to visit my friends in the area by staying at the home of radellaf's parents, who were very gracious the entire time. Still, it felt a little weird to visit my old hometown as a visitor rather than a family resident.
One morning, I took a walk around the local greenway, which leads directly to the old neighborhood. I had to walk by the house at least once, just to relive the past a little and see how the place was doing. Everything looked the same, as if no one had noticed that we had left. The house itself looked unchanged, and one would not guess that new owners had taken over. I was about to plunge into a sentimental trip of pure nostalgia until I took a closer look at the doormat. Wonder what it said?
Well, so much for nostalgia. It was undoubtedly meant for unwelcome solicitors, but the back of my mind imagined an attempt to prevent family members of the former owners from coming in and trying to make themselves at home.
You can't go home again.