I am lucky to still be able to go back to the place where it feels and smells just like I remember from childhood. A place where I can walk around with my eyes closed and not bump into anything.
My parents built the home 40-some years ago. No one else has lived in it. They chose a hilltop location without paved roads. They opted to buy an adjoining lot as well, knowing that one day they would appreciate having the extra space. Over the years, homes were built and a neighborhood was born. Streets were paved, stop signs placed, and friends were met. We had neighborhood picnics on our cul-de-sac. I had a last-day-of-school pool party year after high school year. We had perfect hills for sledding following an occasional winter storm, and cool shade when the weather turned warm. And who could forget the piles of red and orange, perfect for leaping into throughout autumn?
Today, Amelia knows and loves Grandma & Granddad's house. She plays with some of my old toys, without any thought to where they came from. They are now hers. The big swimming pool is gone, but the blue inflatable one sits at the ready for her splash, all hers. The yard is a lovely garden of paths and flowers, perfect for a morning stroll or an evening burst of four-year-old speed.
It called to me again, so we are on our way. Going home!
