Well now that I'm not all stupid and medicated, I can type this thing out!
It's been a long time since I've been back to the town in Upstate NY where I went to school. The surrounding towns where I was born and raised. I had a stomach full of positive and negative butterflies when I arrived in Newark. The rental car was nice, and the drive from NJ into NY was better than I expected. It sure beat driving in Florida! While still in NJ, I fiddled with the radio stations until I heard Welcome Back Kotter come on. Seemed like an appropriate theme song for this trip... an interesting sign.
Welcome back,
Your dreams were your ticket out.
Welcome back,
To that same old place that you laughed about.
Well the names have all changed since you hung around,
But those dreams have remained and they're turned around.
By the time I got into my home town it was threatening to grow dark out. But what a surprise! How much my old towns have grown! It seems that a lot of NYC folks are heading up to our county to live. Tons and tons of new stores, restaurants, and homes.
I checked into the hotel before heading out to wander my old haunts. What a nice place the hotel was! It was beautiful, and the room was wonderful. It was like a small apartment, and man oh man I could have stayed there. It was quite groovy!
I drove around the four main towns that I had lived in when I was growing up. Despite how much things have changed, some things remain timeless. Family-owned stores are still here and there, just as they had been 10 years ago... 20 years ago. Cemetaries from 100-300 years ago are still maintained. Besides the tiny city of Poughkeepsie, my home town(s) are mostly suburbs and some rural/suburb blends. Thankfully all of the changes made to the area hasnt ruined all of the wonderful mountains, woods, etc... Scenic routes were still quite the view.
I woke early on Saturday and went to see my mom and Nana at the cemetary. I got to tell them about how many yellow roses were floating around the net on my mom's birthday. I think she would have gotten a kick out of it. I stoped by my aunt and uncle's home (my real dad's brother and wife) and surprised them. They were so hapy to see me! I am so glad that all of my real dad's tales of the whole family hating me are false. I learned, much to my shock still today, that out of us 6 kids, I am the only one not married, save my little brother who will be wed next month. My 2nd oldest sister now has a son too! I was speechless. I got to go see my eldest sister at her job, to see how much of a heart attack she'd have. It was great. (I was 18 when she turned 30, so it was a sob fest for her then... so now that she's 40 and I'm looking at 30 soon.... yeah you get the idea)
The reunion was a success! About 1/4 of our class made it, but there were a lot of old friends there. Folks recognized my face, despite that my hair has grown a ton and I now dress like a girl. Heh. I was named Class Reunion Celebrity for being on Playboy.com... that was amusing! Most of the old gang dropped their jaws when they heard about that. One of the class bullies, that I had been at war with from 5th grade thru 12th, was so shocked. He ws like "We used to get into fist fights! A lot! Now you're all hot and in Playboy??" I had to laugh. I ran into a guy... I was his first kiss in 2nd grade. He was just as shocked. Damn, what an amusing night. I had such fun! It was great seeing the old gals.
Sunday I got to have breakfast with my grandfather before heading back to Newark for my flight home. It was bittersweet. I love this man to death, but he's getting so old and brail... he cant afford to stop working either. He filled me in on some inheritance woes that I need to deal with. Looks like I need to get a lawyer soon. Guh.
I was THIS close to not coming back to Florida. I HAVE to make sure that it isnt years before the next time I get to go back home.
I have some pics... the car, the hotel room, the reunion.... here.



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And welcome back!



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