In a couple days, we’ll be leaving to have Christmas with my kids, dad and our son’s girlfriend’s family. Our kids suggested Palm Springs, where we moved from exactly two years ago this week. Last year we gathered in Santa Barbara, which was a fun — if not rainy and cold adventure.
I’m conflicted over Palm Springs. After leaving, I don’t have a strong desire to return. I don’t know if it’s an emotional response. If it brings up too many memories. If I miss it, or if I don’t miss it. It makes me feel things I don’t want to feel.
For the kids, who never wanted us to move from Palm Springs, my husband agreed to rent an Airbnb a few blocks from our old home. It’s all for them, not us.
What I’m looking foward to:
Seeing our big extended family.
Walking around my old park.
Swimming in my former city pool.
Going to my old favorite restaurants for a taste of Mexican food and Italian. We haven’t found any good spots here.
Do you think it’s true that you can never go home again? Why or why not?
I look at it this way. It’s a Nice Place to Visit but I wouldn’t want to Live There.
You got it! That’s it! 😂
I think it’s just a saying. Going back is easy, but don’t expect things to be exactly the same. I hope you have a great time with family
Thank you. I wish it didn’t feel emotional to me.
I hope you enjoy your stay
👍🏼
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Home means different things to different people. That being said, I don’t think you can go home again because it’s no longer home…it’s a visit to a place you used to live. Nostalgia and memories are great but you can’t live there
Well said. I think it’s going to feel strange, good and bad.
I’ll be thinking of you!
Thank you!
Cliche but- home is where you make it. Enjoy the memories over the holiday but underneath all that you have a new home that suits you and your life at this point in time.
Thank you. I will try to remember your good advice.
As the phrase goes, when one door closes…. It was home once apon a time, now is it a fond memory: of home, of good food and of friends. We’ve been gone from the mid-Atlantic for 4 years. We enjoy going back, stopping by the old haunts, visiting with friends, good food (I so miss seafood) but I would never move back. Ejoy the holiday for what it is, not where it is.
Thank you for your insightful words of wisdom.
LOL, not so sure about wisdom.
It was helpful to hear!
When we move, we move for a reason. We wanted or needed change. I’ve found that once we move it is never the same. Either the places we remember have closed or restaurants don’t taste as good, old friends are just that — Old friends. Your kids going back, needed to bring closure to that area. The funny thing is that kids move away, but they want parents to keep the OLD memories/house in tact, basically, we sit in a rocking chair knitting socks waiting for their return. LOL. This is life.
That’s such a perfect description! My kids did not want us to sell the house. But they only would visit once or twice a year. We were supposed sit their and wait.
LOL – yes, that’s why I don’t do what they want anymore. We had a discussion on that a few years ago. If I need to allow them to spread their wings, they must allow us to do the same. :). They get it. We are all creatures of comfort. Change is good, keeps us young.
Great advice! Thank you!
Home is where your heart is. You have every right to have conflicted feelings. Palm Springs isn’t home anymore. Treat it for what it is: a weekend away. Hope you have a wonderful time with family.
Thank you! That’s a mindset I’m working for.
Home is where you live now. It’s too bad the kids aren’t happy you sold the place they grew up. It’s great they had that stability, but time to move on. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday together and pick someplace new to gather next year!
Thank you! My hubby thinks the same thing, like Hawaii. I’m thinking the Bay Area where they all live and we’re the visitors!
Visiting the past is always an adventure, sometimes a frustrating adventure.
I’m not looking forward to it. But it’s fast approaching so I’ll try to make the best out of it.
I understand what you mean