I am from a relatively small town in Ohio. New Philadelphia was my home before Columbus, Ohio snuck its way into my heart. While I treasure living in a city that's always making me turn my head, there are times when I miss the stillness of a small town. At first, I pushed this nostalgia away to escape any association with my roots. Over time, though, I have grown fond of the different parts of this place that influenced the person I turned out to be. While I'm home for a visit, I decided to compile a list of different aspects of nostalgia I've experienced since moving.
1. The people (and other important living beings):
Obviously, I miss my family and my friends. Those feelings are easier to cope with because of things like texting, FaceTime, etc. Do you know who I can't text? My dog, Bella. She cannot yet operate an iPhone, but I'm confident we'll get it figured out before I move any farther away.
2. The food:
I always miss the food. Every time I'm home, I try to stock up on different things I just can't get anywhere else. I often find myself missing the comfort of sitting at my local coffee shop (shout out to The Daily Grind Café). So many monumental moments happened there, and the coffee is great. I'm also forever devoted to Dagwood's for their macaroni and cheese (seriously; it's insane).
3. The quirky little places:
I always miss the possibly unusual little places that are unique to my home. I miss the little book shop in the middle of town with its winding pathways and $1.00 books. I also miss the lovely gentleman behind the counter who was always ready to strike up a conversation about his favorite stories. Of course, I can't go without mentioning Dundee Falls. If you're from New Phila or anywhere nearby, you're familiar with Dundee Falls. My friends and I used to spend our days swinging from vines and screaming our frustrations out into the trees. Those times were probably my first experiences with catharsis.
4. The carefree vibes:
My friends and I used to drive around for fun. We had no destination; we just wanted to go. This was before we were politically aware and responsible for ourselves (it was also before conspiracy theories kept me lying awake at night; see my previous article).
5. The silence:
It's so quiet here. I never realized how much sound I block out when I'm in Columbus, but now there is nothing to ignore. This place is just quiet. At first, it's almost more deafening than Columbus's constant motion. After a while, I settle into it as if no time has passed at all. It makes me feel like the universe is allowing me a breath of fresh air before sending me back into chaos. It never seems to last long enough, but I'm always grateful for a pause.
While I absolutely love living where I live now, I'm comforted by the idea that I have a place with memories worthy enough to miss. I welcome this nostalgia and hope it will always be a landing place when I need comfort and familiarity.
