So I'm sitting here back in Japan, alone. Kendall's ship had a last minute schedule change (whats new?) and the kids are (thankfully) asleep. It hasn't been the best night for me. It was a good day, the kids and I did alot together...but Dylan was freaking out because he had to go to bed. It's like its a new concept for him that he has to sleep. Anyway, I stole my 3 year olds iPhone (LONG STORY) and downloaded Jason Aldean's "My Kinda Party" album. I hit shuffle, like I always do. The song "Church pew or bar stool" came on and he's talking about a small town and how he's gotta get out. Yada yada yada. As I'm listening, I realize I'm crying.
Church Pew or Bar Stool is my hometown. It's Morgan City. So is Tattoos on this Town, but that's another post.
I just spent 2 months back in 'Bama. I got a ton of time with my parents, my family and my best friend. And as ready as I was to come home to Japan, because lets face it, home is where my husband is...I still find myself wanting to be in Morgan City. I don't think that will ever change. That was where I grew up, where my roots are. My roots there are deep. My roots here are short. I know we'll be leaving Japan in 2 years. I don't know when we'll be back in 'Bama. I don't know when I'll see my family again. I don't know when I'll be driving down Pine Ridge Road with my windows down, Lynyrd Skynyrd blaring and my bare foot out the window. The sweet smell of honeysuckle, or the kudzu that seems to invade everything in the spring, I miss those. My babies got to eat the dew from a honeysuckle, just like I did when I was growing up. I always said I'd never leave that place...and look at me now. I have days where I long to be there, in my parents house...with Daddy picking on me and Momma buzzing around. I just got back here 8 days ago...
I guess sometimes a girl just needs to cry because I can't seem to turn it off tonight. I miss so much being gone. Things go on, my friends get together and do things without me. We have family things I'm never there for. I miss births, graduations, birthdays and anniversaries.
When I was home I saw so many of my "stompin' grounds." (Here's where Tattoos on this Town comes in.) There was the 7-11 we all used to hang out at. While taking my brother somewhere, I drove down the road where I used to go parking, lol I even found the hidden driveway. There's the tree with eyes, the broken bridge, yellowbluff. The cold hole. The spot where I had my first kiss. The spot where my first serious boyfriend told me he loved me...and the spot where he first broke my heart. The river where we used to jump from the bluffs. I remember how I lied to my best friend, Amanda telling her I had jumped when I hadn't, without realizing I'd HAVE to do it now. Amanda and I ate at the same resturant we all ate at on prom night, sat so close to the same table. I could almost see us all there, laughing and talking about our plans for the summer. Everytime I drove in to Huntsville I passed the spot where my husband gave me his last name. Driving up the mountain and looking at the rock seeing if someone had spraypainted it with something different. My home. It is me.
"Whiskey or the Bible. A shot glass or revival." That's me, that's my hometown. We take things slow there. We take the time to get to know our neighbors and we love get-togethers. Every car I pass I can pretty much guarantee the driver will hold up his or her first 2 fingers to wave...and I'll do the same. I'll even know most of them by name. When I walk in to our drug store or grocery store, the people will greet me by my name and ask me how my Momma is. I haven't lived there in over 6 years now if that tells you how amazing my hometown is. The people there will give you the shirt off their back if you need it. I am the same way, like my parents are. We don't even have a caution light and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Morgan City, Alabama will always be one of my favorite places. I can travel all over, see the 7 wonders of the world...and they will never compare to driving down Pine Ridge and pulling in to my parents house where I grew up. Knowing that just for a few days, I'm "home." I do have two homes. I have my home with my husband and our family. I'll always want to be there. I have my home in 'Bama with my friends and family. I'll always want to be there too. I know why I hang around that church pew or bar stool kinda town.
