Can you ever really go home again?

Question

I grew up in Detroit in the 60's and 70's in a wonderful neighborhood that has since gone to hell, My family was part of the white flight during the mid 70's. I find myself missing the bungalow we grew up in - a unique house in an open neighborhood where all my friends moms where my mom too,. before all the cookie cutter subuurban neighborhoods sprang up. Former urban dwellers, can we go home again or has it vanished into the sameness of lofts and condos where we are still strangers to each other?

Answer 1

I'd like to think things are still that way somewhere, I just haven't found where yet.

Don't feel bad, my entire neighborhood was flooded 12 feet for two weeks, I walk through that neighborhood, and you just see the shell of the house, every single house, blocks and blocks of destruction.

I know how you feel.

Answer 2

Detroit as we knew it has vanished ---when I'm feeling this way I go for a drive, past the big stove at the fairgrounds, past John Salley's house in Palmer Park, down Woodward and wave to the old Sears store, stop in a DuMouchelle's on Jefferson, have lunch in Greektown, stop at Pewabic Pottery, drive through Indian Village and stop for coffee in at the Harlequin Cafe on Agnes, go by Govinda's and remember the parties at The Garwood, stop in for a tour and glimpse of the lake from Edsel's house on Jefferson ---there's a really great website about all the architectural losses in Detroit called 'Ruins du Jour' --google it, it will also take you down memory lane --unfortunately, it's all we have left of what used to be a fun 'Motown' place....I miss it, and am afraid it is gone forever.

Answer 3

going home... I only go home to visit my mother's grave who died suddenly 2 years ago. Since then I have moved from the big city of Nashville, TN to little Plattsburgh, NY. (near Lake Placid, Burrlingon VT and Montreal) . My family is still in Tn but there are no dreams there or reason. I am not sure if I have found my peace yet.... but close. Peace with the land is golden.

Answer 4

I grew up in L.A. in a similar neighborhood. It is also gone.
There was a writer in the 1980's who wrote about our need for a sense of community. I think if we cultivate that amongst our neighbors, then it will be as close to "going home again" as we will ever get.

Answer 5

Mr. dollar.. your poem touched my coronary heart.. that is speaking about the destiny.. and making waiting for the coming near by skill of redefining the former moral code [worn ruts].. and vegetation and seeds [plow] .. with anticipation for prosperity [income from the rain] .. in a collective attempt [with our thousands] .. to stay a functional lifestyles in compliance with mom nature [birdsong] the completed way there. we also sing and tell storys of our ancestors on our way abode. properly carried out mr.Buk! ty.

Answer 6

you can always go home...through your memories...old photos...and you can always go visit the old neighborhood...but i have found that just isnt the same...the trees are larger...those big hills we fought so hard to ride our bikes up are now nothing more than a mole hill...lol...old families have sold out and new families have moved in...so keep your memories...and go home..

Answer 7

thingd change and people changes it's will be great to visit but it's better places to live to start a new begginning better than your 1st well since you grown your neighbors might not recognize u.

BEST ADVICE STOP LIVING IN THE PAST AND LIVE AND ENJOY THE FUTURE DONT BE AFRAID OF SOMETHING NEW,

Answer 8

'The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there'. (L P Hartly)

Answer 9

Move on.

Answer 10

yes u can always go home