Author’s Note: I wrote this about a year and a half ago after I moved into my new home in my home state. It wasn’t until later that it was pointed out to me that there was a country song with the same theme. While I might listen to some bluegrass as it is kind of like me (a little bit of sinner and a little bit of saint), I tend to stay away from the popular country songs. My tastes revolve closer to Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra, Blue Highway, and The Dead South. Either way, I hope you enjoy this short little reminiscence of times past and remember what it is that makes life worth living. God bless.
A shiny brand new city every three to five years. That is how often I have moved. Always to a new house but never to a new home. And eventually, the shine would wear thin. You could interchange the city names. However, no matter how you spelled it, Big City would inevitably equate to the same old issues and problems. That shiny new penny will eventually lose its sparkle and a place is just a place if you don’t have a connection to it. A person becomes lost in a sea of faces and the maze of buildings. A person inevitably blends into the multitude. Unnoticed. Unconnected. Until now.
This state has always felt like the center of the universe — at least to me. My stray thoughts are filled with bright memories of lake filled summers tramping through the Ozarks and over hills yelling back at my mom “Just five more minutes!”
Just five more minutes submersed in warm sparkling water on a hot summer’s day. Five more minutes chasing fireflies in chigger filled grass as the light lazily faded away. Carefree and lost in the moment, I didn’t mind my legs being an itchy mess the next day. Five more minutes riding bikes over dusty, dirty, barely there trails with me trailing behind the squeals and laughter of my friends. Five more minutes of casting my freshly worm-baited hook one more time in the misguided hopes of catching the ‘big one’ with a pole easily three times my size.
Just five more minutes. What I wouldn’t have given to have “just five more minutes” before I said goodbye to my home those many years ago. It was a lifetime ago.
Now I am back in my home state. The decades old memories haven’t faded with time. If anything, these memories have been polished anew — thrilling and bright and mine. All mine. They are just waiting for me to relive and chase with renewed vigor… and perhaps a bit more wisdom regarding the chiggers.
What I wouldn’t give to have all of those missed “just five more minutes” here in my home.
Your story makes me homesick. I too left my home many decades ago. Chased my dreams and have had a wonderful time. The Montana winters seem to feel colder every year though. I so remember chasing fireflies also except we called them lightning bugs and used to get covered in chiggers every spring. I would have given anything to have known there was something called Deet in those days. Im glad for you that you are happy and back “home”. I often think of doing the same. Life is too short not to be where your heart is.
I believe there’s a John Denver song with your name on it. 😉 Ha.!! I love the fact that you fish. I grew up on the water and hopefully I’ll take my last breath out there. As I’ve grown Ahh, Umm, Wiser 😂 I have realized that “Home” really does have a special meaning, especially now that my kids have grown up. Great read Dove. 🫶