Thank you so much for this touching story. As I read it, I imagined your beautiful voice speaking it. I am always so glad when you are a guest on one of the programs I watch on MSNBC. Keep sharing your heart with us. I grew up in a small town in South Carolina (Bishopville). I was born in 1944. I now live in Surfside Beach, SC, fulfilling a life-long dream of living “at the beach”.
I’ve always been a little jealous of people who had wonderful childhoods. Thanks for reminding me that I wouldn’t be who I am now without my childhood. And I wouldn’t change who I am now for anything.
Thank you for that beautiful story. I grew up in a mill town in Maine and am lucky to have warm memories of family and community. I imagine the contrast between Maine and Mississippi was huge. Glad your homecoming was so renewing for you.
Your powerful article brought tears to my eyes. As an educator for primary students for fifty years, it was always important to thank the students for coming,, and to hug them and say, “Come see me again tomorrow!”
Beautiful, Eddie. I wish I had a hometown, but Peabody Coal Company transferred my father very frequently, and I lived in seven states before I was 16. My sister and I have wondered what it would have been like to have a hometown, to have roots, to know people all your life. I'm glad you have it.
Thank you for your message Eddie. I have a terrible marriage record, two 5-year marriages/divorces, one 20-year marriage and divorce. I don't have a good idea of what it would be like to really feel at home, to know I had a home. I thought I had a home in the 20-year marriage, but it didn't turn out that way, because my then-wife decided that we would get divorced. That was 20 years ago, and I still don't know.
I recognize that many people have homes, and value what they have and envy them for having it, like someone with no food or family looking in the window of a happy family enjoying Thanksgiving dinner. Having “home” is something I have longed for and have often tried to gain by attempting to become a member of someone else's family, and sharing in the home they already had.
As a Mississippi girl myself, this desire to be able to love my home, but also to escape its limitations is always present. I appreciate your wisdom and perspective on how to walk that path- how to be able to love this place and what it made me, while also finding freedom outside it.
Thank you so much for this touching story. As I read it, I imagined your beautiful voice speaking it. I am always so glad when you are a guest on one of the programs I watch on MSNBC. Keep sharing your heart with us. I grew up in a small town in South Carolina (Bishopville). I was born in 1944. I now live in Surfside Beach, SC, fulfilling a life-long dream of living “at the beach”.
I’ve always been a little jealous of people who had wonderful childhoods. Thanks for reminding me that I wouldn’t be who I am now without my childhood. And I wouldn’t change who I am now for anything.
Such a beautiful story, and reminder of the importance of reflection. Thank you!
So beautiful!
Thank you for that beautiful story. I grew up in a mill town in Maine and am lucky to have warm memories of family and community. I imagine the contrast between Maine and Mississippi was huge. Glad your homecoming was so renewing for you.
What a beautiful story...depicting many dimensions of coming home.
Thank you!
Your powerful article brought tears to my eyes. As an educator for primary students for fifty years, it was always important to thank the students for coming,, and to hug them and say, “Come see me again tomorrow!”
Lovely!
Thank you for taking the time to read the piece.
Beautiful, Eddie. I wish I had a hometown, but Peabody Coal Company transferred my father very frequently, and I lived in seven states before I was 16. My sister and I have wondered what it would have been like to have a hometown, to have roots, to know people all your life. I'm glad you have it.
So how do you imagine home? Not in terms of place, obviously. But you do have an idea of home, right?
Thank you for your message Eddie. I have a terrible marriage record, two 5-year marriages/divorces, one 20-year marriage and divorce. I don't have a good idea of what it would be like to really feel at home, to know I had a home. I thought I had a home in the 20-year marriage, but it didn't turn out that way, because my then-wife decided that we would get divorced. That was 20 years ago, and I still don't know.
I recognize that many people have homes, and value what they have and envy them for having it, like someone with no food or family looking in the window of a happy family enjoying Thanksgiving dinner. Having “home” is something I have longed for and have often tried to gain by attempting to become a member of someone else's family, and sharing in the home they already had.
Beautiful!
As a Mississippi girl myself, this desire to be able to love my home, but also to escape its limitations is always present. I appreciate your wisdom and perspective on how to walk that path- how to be able to love this place and what it made me, while also finding freedom outside it.
Descriptive. Authentic. Transparent. A journey of self-discovery. A foundation for true identity, healthy growth, and greater purpose. Excellent!