Home Sweet Arizona

Alvin and I arrived in Phoenix yesterday afternoon. I immediately started getting a sentimental feelings as we entered Prescott. I enjoyed the feeling of recognizing places where I had childhood memories. I liked the feeling of familiarity as I drove on Thunderbird to my place. I like knowing that I didn't need to print out a map from Albuquerque to Phoenix because I could find my way home.

I lived in Phoenix for 18 years, but have not lived in the city for 11 years. I average coming back to Phoenix about once a year. One thing I noticed about living in a place for so long, but now only coming back every once in a while to visit now, is that I can notice when change happens. In Dallas, I don't notice change because it just slowly happens.

One thing I like best about Phoenix is that it is March, and no one wears a jacket. As Alvin and I travel west, we slowly shed the petticoat and the sweatshirt. Dallasites may think, well sometimes in March we wear short sleeves. Yet, in Phoenix, once you put away the jacket, you don't have to take it out. That is not true of Dallas bipolar winter weather.

When I was in NM, all of a sudden I started to feel like I was home. I realized it was because of the burning sensation on my neck from the sun. Oh, home sweet home. Phoenix is the reason I am obsessed with sunblock.

You may have noticed how I have been calling AZ home. My parents live in the same house ever since I was born. I have lived in AZ longer than any other house. When I dream, I often have dreams taking place in my AZ home. I have never had dreams of my Dallas place.

Therefore, as I sit here in Phoenix (at a Starbucks since that is like Alvin's home), I think about how much things will change in AZ after a couple years of living overseas.

Oh Phoenix, full of cacti, full of sun, I will miss you dearly.