hometown

(n.) the town where one was born or grew up, or the town of one's present fixed residence.

Hey you.

Yeah, you with your bright green grass and tall evergreen trees.

I've missed ya.

I forgot how fresh the air smelt and how good tap water could taste.

Or how cold it can get in the Summer.

I didn't realize how happy a sunny day could make someone or that eighty-five degrees was hot to people.

I've forgotten how good the coffee is; drinking it on a crisp early morning.

Or how fun it can be to jog around downtown, earbuds plugged in, and eyes cast out.

It almost slipped my mind about all the round-a-bouts they have implemented.

And how many people STILL don't know how to use them.

I smile each time I walk along the docks, past the kissing statue and around towards the boats. It's been a while since I've smelt that fresh, salty, air.

I explore the cute bookstores and antique shops till they close, finding stuff I want and don't need.

And eat tons of pastries from every bakery around the corner.

Especially that one that was neighbors with my mother's little shop.

I love seeing the pride of the Football team; flags and memorabilia on every window and car.

I stuff my bag full of T-Shirts, signs, and more, to take home and parade around.

I still hate how it costs money to get a plastic bag at the grocery store.

And I will never miss the politics of the state.

Nor the high gas prices.

But I still love you.

I enjoy seeing my family after such long periods of times.

Uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins, friends.

Going by my grandmother's grave to say hello.

Driving past my old elementary school.

Seeing if my old house changed in any way.

Walking past the high school my mom went to.

Seeing my best friend and feeling like nothing has changed.

Going to the Farmer's Market and eating the gingerbread.

Smiling at all the green.

Dancing in the rain.

My childhood was build in-between the green trees and the rain flooding the streets.

The wind whispers all the secrets I've said into oblivion.

It holds memories of hide and seek and friendships and love.

Memories I will never let go of.

It's so hard to capture each moment in my memory, there are so many to store.

But my heart has more than enough room, so there they will go.

I love my little city, my hometown, my state.

To the town I grew up in, I will always love you, miss you, and enjoy you.

Love,

Me.