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Took the long way Home

By Kelly GirnasPublished 3 years ago 2 min read
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Home was everywhere.

Home is New Jersey. Birthplace. Jersey Girl forever. Down the shore we go. A smooth, ivory swirl, rests upon a large tree bark colored cone. Before my tongue can feel that first icy burn, vanilla drips on my new Granimal shirt. Charcoal scented air floats on warm July breezes. In a few hours, lightning bugs will make their debut, setting summer skies aglow. Childhood magic.

Home is Ohio. Thirty miles outside Cleveland. Picturesque gazebo town. Perfect for a postcard, but teens craving excitement - not so much. 80's have arrived. Another snow day. Ice swaddled cars stay parked for days. More logs on the fire, it's ALWAYS a long winter! Lake effect snow. Check the tv guide. MTV begins, and my fifteen year old self is mesmerized.

Home is New York. Back on the East Coast. Living in the "Burbs", but NYC is close enough. The 80's are in full swing. Too much was never enough. Greed is now a virtue. Madonna "wanna be's" are everywhere. Neon colors, bold makeup and big hair rule. My naturally thick curls were MADE for this decade! Class of 84'. Let's grab a slice or two. Cannoli for dessert. A sliver of me still resides within this time and space; cotton candy scented youth, on the precipice of life when everything seemed possible.

Home is North Carolina. 1986 Charlotte. The Queen City. Everyone is so polite. Yankees are not just a baseball team, apparently I am one too. Tasting iced tea that's not instant, and cornbread that isn't sweet. Cole slaw on hot dogs?! Meeting a fellow East Coaster - dear friend for life. Coming of age. Adulthood challenges and changes me forever. Bless my WHAT?

Home is Texas. Divorce in Big D. Early 90's. Smells like teen spirit. Mobile phones the size of Herman Munster's head. Hot sauce on everything! Dial up and online dating. Self discovery. Went blonde for a time - did NOT have more fun! Cold Zima, perfect sipping for Lone Star summer nights. Darker tresses brought ME back. Met "The One". He's from Jersey too. His voice became home before our eyes ever met. The perfect combination of familiar and strange. We said "I do". We became our forever home.

vintage
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About the Creator

Kelly Girnas

When I create, I feel alive.

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