Something I wrote back in 2013 after one of my trips back home.
I went back home this past week. “Back Home” is southwestern Indiana.
I go back home a few times a year for various reasons. This year one of the reasons I was going home is I arranged to play in the city’s senior golf tournament; a two day affair. Something I had never done
previously, but had often thought of doing. I often do when I go back is“drive around” to some of my old haunts. Towns, schools, play grounds, streets and houses on various streets that were once a part of my growing up days. As is usually the case, this time I drove to the little village area where I grew up and graduated high school. I drove by my old school, etc. It hurts to do such because it has nothing of the appearance that it did when I was growing up.
“That Old Haunted House”
I’ve thought of you every day since June of 55
That picture you gave me has helped me survive
I’ve passed by your house a million times outside of town
My mind let my heart stop and look around
It’s pretty run down and there’s Ivy everywhere
No scent of your momma’s flowers in the air
With no yellow paint the front porch looks plain and sad
That old swing made me smile bout the times that we had
I can’t remember if it was your fault or mine
And you can’t trust a memory when it’s had too much time
I’m haunted by things like your smile and my pride
Like that haunted old house I’m empty inside
Although it was quiet I swear I could hear
The record I bought you by the Platters that year
I walked up the front steps but stopped at the door
There’s nothing for me in there anymore
I wiped a tear from your cheek the last time I saw you
And I’ve held it in my hand because I wanted to
But I lost it today in that lonesome old place
That tear I was saving wound up on my face
I can’t remember if it was your fault or mine
Like that empty old house I’m haunted inside
(Harold Reid, Will Reid)
Before leaving to come back to Tennessee I drove by what once had been the location of my wife’s old house. Sadly now, a vacant lot.I drove past her high school that is now a senior citizen’s home.
I also drove by a few other houses on streets in the south part of town where I grew up during my high school and college years. Streets like South 3rd, 4th, 7th, Center, 10th and 11th streets. I even
pulled my car over to the curb a time or two just to sit look and remember in front of some houses that had once figured into my growing up days.
You ever drive by the “Old Houses,” that once were a part of your life?
In doing so, as a line from the song says, a tear may wind up on your face.
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August 11, 2013
Keep on,
Larry Adamson