What a great piece of writing. I love it. The part about dollar store really got me.
I will never go to Kansas again. I spent a spring break in jail in Fort Scott Kansas. Got busted with a marijuana pipe.My arrest made the local paper ”I was the boy from California on dope” I drive around Kansas when I cross the country.
So many ways I can relate to this piece. The past decade here in Minden has shown me that my sojourn here is no more connected than it was in my hometown or in the other towns where I've lived. It's like my spirit is dwelling in in an earthly body for a short time before moving on to another planet or dimension. Are we really that fluid? It appears that some people are firmly attached to their lifetime homes without any restlessness at all. And then there are those like us who must wander because the attachments only bear weight upon us rather than lifting us up to joy.
my but I so love your writing, Tonya. perhaps because I can relate so often to the feelings and emotions you convey; "It isn't like I've ever been great at feeling what I'm supposed to feel, at least not at the moment when Im suppose to feel it." Boy can I relate! but, it's your ability to distill that understanding into such a few concise words that I so admire. thank you.
Your depiction of Kansas conjured up a host of memories. Not exactly the same, but many years ago I left my husband in Wichita in my "freedom-mobile" with all my worldly belongings & headed to New Mexico, a place I could finally breathe. Funny that I never took one photo of a place I lived for 15 years. Perhaps down the pike you'll turn the following statement, "I don’t know much about being born yet, but I know something about dying." into, "It felt like I was born when I left & I've been living & growing ever since." Guess it was time for me to let that happen. Never looked back with anything other than the certainty leaving was the right thing to do.
Thank you for sharing a beautifully narrated piece of your journey with us, Tonya.
Meaningful & beautiful. There is such a poignance in feeling removed from one's surroundings, & I love how Tonya turns this detachment into a spiritual quest that felt relatable & inspirational. Kansas is one heck of a metaphor!
Oh no. In fact, I think it's probably quite common, especially among Americans. We're a restless breed. What gave me the heebee jeebees in your story was when you went back to get your things from the house. Chills up and down the spine as I wondered if a glowering presence skulked in the corner, seething with rage. I hope you brought a friend with you then. I know I wouldn't have the guts to go back.
What a great piece of writing. I love it. The part about dollar store really got me.
I will never go to Kansas again. I spent a spring break in jail in Fort Scott Kansas. Got busted with a marijuana pipe.My arrest made the local paper ”I was the boy from California on dope” I drive around Kansas when I cross the country.
So many ways I can relate to this piece. The past decade here in Minden has shown me that my sojourn here is no more connected than it was in my hometown or in the other towns where I've lived. It's like my spirit is dwelling in in an earthly body for a short time before moving on to another planet or dimension. Are we really that fluid? It appears that some people are firmly attached to their lifetime homes without any restlessness at all. And then there are those like us who must wander because the attachments only bear weight upon us rather than lifting us up to joy.
my but I so love your writing, Tonya. perhaps because I can relate so often to the feelings and emotions you convey; "It isn't like I've ever been great at feeling what I'm supposed to feel, at least not at the moment when Im suppose to feel it." Boy can I relate! but, it's your ability to distill that understanding into such a few concise words that I so admire. thank you.
I love this piece.
Your depiction of Kansas conjured up a host of memories. Not exactly the same, but many years ago I left my husband in Wichita in my "freedom-mobile" with all my worldly belongings & headed to New Mexico, a place I could finally breathe. Funny that I never took one photo of a place I lived for 15 years. Perhaps down the pike you'll turn the following statement, "I don’t know much about being born yet, but I know something about dying." into, "It felt like I was born when I left & I've been living & growing ever since." Guess it was time for me to let that happen. Never looked back with anything other than the certainty leaving was the right thing to do.
Thank you for sharing a beautifully narrated piece of your journey with us, Tonya.
Meaningful & beautiful. There is such a poignance in feeling removed from one's surroundings, & I love how Tonya turns this detachment into a spiritual quest that felt relatable & inspirational. Kansas is one heck of a metaphor!
Oh no. In fact, I think it's probably quite common, especially among Americans. We're a restless breed. What gave me the heebee jeebees in your story was when you went back to get your things from the house. Chills up and down the spine as I wondered if a glowering presence skulked in the corner, seething with rage. I hope you brought a friend with you then. I know I wouldn't have the guts to go back.