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You Can't Go Home Again

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

Fat LinusThe title of a Thomas Wolfe book is called

  You Can't Go Home Again.

It is an interesting observation in our lives with very much older real estate from our growing up years and how visiting it so many years out, well things are just different. Sure some kids return to younger age parents with a poor economy. But in normal times 10, 15, 20, 30 years out, well it is DIFFERENT. The house looks smaller, some people have passed away, the chain link fence is rusty, the trees and bushes are much bigger, maybe there is more traffic and growth around the area. You cannot re-create the freeze frame in your mind how it was when YOU were there.

Other people you knew left. It is like being in a Twilight Zone episode. The playground down the street is bulldozed. The high school renovated.

Everything now just seems memories and you can't relive those memories. Sure there are places in the country where life does even seem to stand still for 50 years or more. But if you take in that surreal experience of GOING HOME sometime you will know exactly what I am talking about.

IT IS NOT THE SAME ANYMORE, but it is still good. It just is a reminder to you that LIFE MOVES ON.

Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

There is something to be said about holding on the those good memories of the past Gary; even though things have changed.

Jan 16, 2013 06:18 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Gary, Yes life moves on and we have to adapt as best we can. But we still hve our memories and can keep them intact.

Jan 16, 2013 06:54 AM
Kim Darling
Keller Williams Westland Realty BRE# 01864461 - Fresno, CA
CRS,GRI, "Your Home Team" Fresno/Clovis Homes

We were just talking about that last night as they renovated the gymnasium where I used to play high school ball and where my oldest daughter now plays.  It was very weird being in the totally reconfigured foyer.  The gym looks great now, but it definitely feels weird!!!

Jan 16, 2013 11:16 AM
Sondra Meyer:
EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Awe Gary, you've busted my bubble.  Actually, I've enjoyed my trips home because they have been filled with family and I've stayed very busy.  So, at this point I haven't had time to let all of the changes soak in. 

I"ll always treasure the memories.  Good, thought provoking post. 

Jan 16, 2013 01:57 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Gary oh yes this is so true .. You do see families moving back in together these days ..sometimes for the better

Jan 17, 2013 12:14 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

I've always been a firm believer in "you can't go home again." It's there, but it's different. I remember visiting my elementary school when I was in high school and thinking it was so small. I couldn't understand why it never seemed like that before.

Jan 19, 2013 12:40 PM