Why did you stop writing! Now, I want the whole book lol. You have a gift of transporting the reader. I laughed while reading some passages and also felt a familiar ache. A few years back, I also left home. A couple of times actually. I came back a different human each time. And yes, the stillness is something I feel too. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
Thank you so much Nazish. It was a fun time in life, and freedom was a set of car keys and a few bucks away all the time. Not all of life was so exciting. I wish it were so.
"...I’d been gone too long to fit back into the same shape I left behind." I remember the first time I felt that. What had not fit well before I left no longer fit at all when I returned. I have remained, but I carry it with me daily, feeling heavier some days than others.
Fun piece, particularly when read as a whole. Your description of the various states made me chuckle and nod, particularly my own. Yours is a lethal accuracy (typed as I continue to chuckle). Good stuff.
You know, Louisiana is a funny state. New Orleans and a few others are pretty welcoming. But N.L. and the back country, they do NOT enjoy strangers, especially rowdy, hormonal young men. Friendly enough most of the time, but not in a way that invited familiarity or sticking around. Kind of a ‘glad you stopped by’ kind of thing. Thank you so much for reading Jessica, I certainly appreciate it.
Ah...yes, this is so true. When I say I'm from Louisiana, most assume that's New Orleans, but for those who are familiar with North LA, you know how very different that climate really is.
I don't know what I was expecting to find, but not this. :)
"I arrived home as if nothing and everything had changed."
This reminded me of the time when I arrived back home and then ultimately left once again.
"A day went by and then another, I was in shock. Similarly to the one I was in when I arrived in the USA, now it was a shock to the system to be back home. Yes, it was my home, the house, my room, all the furniture, everything was the same, but I wasn't." For me it was suffocating. I wanted more. I took my first breath again on my way out.
💞💞 the homecoming but is it really, the ending but is it really, the restless yearning restlessness. As one that's lived the road also I feel this. You so elequently put this to page. Mine began following the Mississippi road with the great Mississippi river as my friendly meandering companion always a heartbeat when we met up again as one would do with an old friend welcoming with no words needed to be said. Agree with so many others, you are a writer, need to write, should write & yes even a book. Nothing settled here.
"It just waited for something better to come through and forget to take it along" traveling through so many towns myself often by passing any gps forcing the go this or that way to the omg you actually have maps & can read them comments from others you describe so well these small towns wanting not to be forgotten. Love your writing, thank you so much for sharing it. I love the imagery & imagination of your writing always toned with the reality of place, people, topography & environment. Bravo, I've always said & thought some authors become friends & you can't wait to see, read them again. Welcome friend, 👏👏
Thank you so much. And yes, I've lived with that my entire life. Always the call of moving, changing, something new, something unlived. I spent my childhood with Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Natty Bumppo and it rubbed off. Such a pity the world was discovered before I arrived. I could have found myself on a ship, sailing beyond the edge of the world, never to return. But what stories the absence would tell.
I could totally empathise with your journey, feelings and the sights and sounds of places passed through.
I think the only people who understand us, are fellow travellers.
However, don't you find it comforting, that wherever you go, there are kind people, who often ask nothing of you, but who take pleasure in your passing.
Yes, I do. There are always good people. I met a lot. That just welcomed you in, asked nothing and let you go about your way. Never asked for money or even time. Just there. Even overseas when I was traveling. Thank you so much for the read and the comment Tom!
Why did you stop writing! Now, I want the whole book lol. You have a gift of transporting the reader. I laughed while reading some passages and also felt a familiar ache. A few years back, I also left home. A couple of times actually. I came back a different human each time. And yes, the stillness is something I feel too. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
Thank you so much Nazish. It was a fun time in life, and freedom was a set of car keys and a few bucks away all the time. Not all of life was so exciting. I wish it were so.
So, I came. I read. I remember.
"...I’d been gone too long to fit back into the same shape I left behind." I remember the first time I felt that. What had not fit well before I left no longer fit at all when I returned. I have remained, but I carry it with me daily, feeling heavier some days than others.
Fun piece, particularly when read as a whole. Your description of the various states made me chuckle and nod, particularly my own. Yours is a lethal accuracy (typed as I continue to chuckle). Good stuff.
You know, Louisiana is a funny state. New Orleans and a few others are pretty welcoming. But N.L. and the back country, they do NOT enjoy strangers, especially rowdy, hormonal young men. Friendly enough most of the time, but not in a way that invited familiarity or sticking around. Kind of a ‘glad you stopped by’ kind of thing. Thank you so much for reading Jessica, I certainly appreciate it.
Ah...yes, this is so true. When I say I'm from Louisiana, most assume that's New Orleans, but for those who are familiar with North LA, you know how very different that climate really is.
Different town different time… I remember that 😎
I don't know what I was expecting to find, but not this. :)
"I arrived home as if nothing and everything had changed."
This reminded me of the time when I arrived back home and then ultimately left once again.
"A day went by and then another, I was in shock. Similarly to the one I was in when I arrived in the USA, now it was a shock to the system to be back home. Yes, it was my home, the house, my room, all the furniture, everything was the same, but I wasn't." For me it was suffocating. I wanted more. I took my first breath again on my way out.
Are you writing Part 3 at some point?
Thank you very much Harriet. I truly appreciate it.
There is nothing to thank me for. But I understand. It's amazing to read your experience.
Certainly there is. You read it. And yes. Part 3 soon
💞💞 the homecoming but is it really, the ending but is it really, the restless yearning restlessness. As one that's lived the road also I feel this. You so elequently put this to page. Mine began following the Mississippi road with the great Mississippi river as my friendly meandering companion always a heartbeat when we met up again as one would do with an old friend welcoming with no words needed to be said. Agree with so many others, you are a writer, need to write, should write & yes even a book. Nothing settled here.
"It just waited for something better to come through and forget to take it along" traveling through so many towns myself often by passing any gps forcing the go this or that way to the omg you actually have maps & can read them comments from others you describe so well these small towns wanting not to be forgotten. Love your writing, thank you so much for sharing it. I love the imagery & imagination of your writing always toned with the reality of place, people, topography & environment. Bravo, I've always said & thought some authors become friends & you can't wait to see, read them again. Welcome friend, 👏👏
Thank you so much. And yes, I've lived with that my entire life. Always the call of moving, changing, something new, something unlived. I spent my childhood with Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Natty Bumppo and it rubbed off. Such a pity the world was discovered before I arrived. I could have found myself on a ship, sailing beyond the edge of the world, never to return. But what stories the absence would tell.
No words. ✌️❤️😌
Thank you Richard, thankfully, I talk enough for several of us I fear.
I could totally empathise with your journey, feelings and the sights and sounds of places passed through.
I think the only people who understand us, are fellow travellers.
However, don't you find it comforting, that wherever you go, there are kind people, who often ask nothing of you, but who take pleasure in your passing.
Yes, I do. There are always good people. I met a lot. That just welcomed you in, asked nothing and let you go about your way. Never asked for money or even time. Just there. Even overseas when I was traveling. Thank you so much for the read and the comment Tom!
Nice to meet you x
Likewise Tom!
I’m not interesting enough for a book. Yet. I plan to do some more ludicrous things for it to become a best seller. You ain’t seen nothing yet.
Thank you!