Well, to be honest this little adventure has been a bit disconcerting — coming home. It isn’t actually home any more, except some of the time. As I mentioned earlier, we haven’t been here in a couple of years and lots has changed. Who would have thought a place I knew so well could have changed in the blink of an eye?
In fact, I feel as if we have been living out of the suitcase for the past month. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I did put everything away as soon as we arrived. And, of course, I had a few things that were already here thanks to family who came down and unpacked a few things for me from the storage unit. But, for some reason as much as I have enjoyed being here at the beach, it hasn’t felt like home. You know the feeling — kinda like a new pair of shoes vs. those old sandals that have molded to your feet.
I know lots of the locals, but I guess two years puts distance between people. We don’t do a lot of writing back and forth or emailing. There are a few places that haven’t changed and a few people. Well, that isn’t saying much. Those places haven’t changed a bit since I was a child. But, for the most part things haven’t felt as comfortable as I remembered.
Today, some new neighbors came by to say “hello” as if I am the new kid on the block, not them. They are a real nice couple. I have to admit they were shocked when I told them that I had actually grown up in the house. What I am discovering is that there really are two separate groups of people here and I’m not exactly sure where I belong. You see, there are the old timers — the locals who have been local for as long as I can remember. And, then there are the new locals or almost locals. It’s nice to have them. A change of pace is good.
And, well I guess it is fair to say there is a third group — the tourists. But, they have always come and gone, just in greater numbers now. Some stay for a week or two. Others hang around for a month. But, eventually they all leave and move on to another place the next year.
It’s really odd when you don’t know what to say to people. I mean, one of the neighbors used to come for coffee every morning and today we just exchanged pleasantries and went on about our shopping. I invited her for afternoon lemonade. She hesitated before accepting. Apparently, I’m not the only one feeling awkward. Well, the good thing is she decided to come.
The best part of an old friend stopping by for afternoon refreshments is that as odd as it felt, within thirty minutes we were back chatting as if we had seen one another only the day before. Well, it has been strange coming home again — and I know you can never really go home again — but, I am so thankful that I am starting to feel really comfortable here. I am recognizing the night noises and enjoying the sound of the tide rising and falling. Change is good, especially when it starts to feel like home.
