What a beautiful story told with many nuisances of the time— rife with the dangers of living black and celebrating joyful moments and memories —it resonated🫶🏼
Jennifer, thanks for commenting. There were sad moments for sure;but as I look back, I’ve discovered my life was filled with privileges I never recognized as such. Those privileges hid or lessened sad moments that might have made life truly painful. Instead, they opened doors that helped make me who I am today. I’ll be sharing this insight soon. It’s been through my deep dives that I recognized these privileges. Stay tuned.
I loved this piece, which is so rich in experience and perspective. Being uprooted at that age is so hard. My family moved when I was 13 and my parents thought it was to give their children more opportunities. I resented being pulled away from my friends and my school at the time. I later understood the decision. I have mixed feelings about it to this day. The stakes for you and your family were much higher, however. How did you feel about the move at the time? Or have your feelings about been consistent?
I’m glad you liked the piece Lisa. It was easier to write than I thought. I was surprised at the memories that surfaced. In a way, I think I’m still getting over that move. Having been born in that very home, it’s always had a special hold on me. I missed it more than my friends though I deeply missed them, too. Even at this stage of my life, there are a few people who were my classmates then who also remember when I “just disappeared.” That’s how they and I felt. All these many decades later, that sense of being incomplete remains. I’ve wondered who I might have become had I stayed. Because I continued to go back often, I maintained friendships with many of my classmates. We talk about who we are now and who they thought I’d become. I thought I’d become a speech therapist. I did do that, too; but I also became an educator. So, I guess you might say the experience and memories are consistent. One huge result has been the move made picking up and moving to another new city easier as I grew professionally. Missed the old but very open to the new adventure. Every move I’ve made since then was to change and improve my life. Thanks for sharing your story and asking about my feelings then and now.
I am about to go "home" for a visit, and even now when I bike around the streets I get that tingle up the back of my neck when I see a familiar landmark- my school, a friend's house, or a shop. I spend a lot of time wondering about how my life would have turned out had we stayed.
What a beautiful way to explore history. Thank you, Mary.
What a beautiful story told with many nuisances of the time— rife with the dangers of living black and celebrating joyful moments and memories —it resonated🫶🏼
A lovely story of memory and history Mary. I also find it sad to read of some of the things you had to go through.
Jennifer, thanks for commenting. There were sad moments for sure;but as I look back, I’ve discovered my life was filled with privileges I never recognized as such. Those privileges hid or lessened sad moments that might have made life truly painful. Instead, they opened doors that helped make me who I am today. I’ll be sharing this insight soon. It’s been through my deep dives that I recognized these privileges. Stay tuned.
I loved this piece, which is so rich in experience and perspective. Being uprooted at that age is so hard. My family moved when I was 13 and my parents thought it was to give their children more opportunities. I resented being pulled away from my friends and my school at the time. I later understood the decision. I have mixed feelings about it to this day. The stakes for you and your family were much higher, however. How did you feel about the move at the time? Or have your feelings about been consistent?
I’m glad you liked the piece Lisa. It was easier to write than I thought. I was surprised at the memories that surfaced. In a way, I think I’m still getting over that move. Having been born in that very home, it’s always had a special hold on me. I missed it more than my friends though I deeply missed them, too. Even at this stage of my life, there are a few people who were my classmates then who also remember when I “just disappeared.” That’s how they and I felt. All these many decades later, that sense of being incomplete remains. I’ve wondered who I might have become had I stayed. Because I continued to go back often, I maintained friendships with many of my classmates. We talk about who we are now and who they thought I’d become. I thought I’d become a speech therapist. I did do that, too; but I also became an educator. So, I guess you might say the experience and memories are consistent. One huge result has been the move made picking up and moving to another new city easier as I grew professionally. Missed the old but very open to the new adventure. Every move I’ve made since then was to change and improve my life. Thanks for sharing your story and asking about my feelings then and now.
I am about to go "home" for a visit, and even now when I bike around the streets I get that tingle up the back of my neck when I see a familiar landmark- my school, a friend's house, or a shop. I spend a lot of time wondering about how my life would have turned out had we stayed.