I have felt drawn back to the place i was born for the last year or two. I would be interested if others feel a connection w the area where they were born or grew up. Is it home?? I live about 3 thousand miles from there. Under the wt, i think i managed to almost totally wipe out feelings of this sort. I noved to where i am now, quebec, because the need was great here, as the wt says. Have or are others gone through similar experiences? Is it important?
I grew up in a house my Dad built. He was busy being an elder so it never really got finished but it was a fine home. We were safe and secure.
It's just on the other side of town and is still rural. I drive by every once in awhile. He sold it to other witnesses. He remarried shortly after my mother died and he sold it to move to a house in town with a big swimming pool.
Stability and safety. We used to play for hours in that country side and the parents in that area never had to worry.
Yes it is true my upbringing was somewhat tainted by a witness dogma but my parents would have been good providers whether they would be Catholics, Protestants atheists. I know why they were attracted to the organization.
I am missing the country side where I can see the stars at night. They don't have to compete with the street lights. And in the morning the birds are heard...not the sound of trucks and cars.
I think for me it's being aware the first half of my life is over. Needing to touch the past happens when you know you are now into the 2nd part of the journey.
I think for me it's being aware the first half of my life is over. Needing to touch the past happens when you know you are now into the 2nd part of the journey.
Since i am likely in that category, that could be it.
I Have returned many times to the places where I grew up - there are a lot of them because we moved - a lot. I lived in 18 places before I was 18. I am now 50 and have lived in 30 places so I have visited a few places.
Mostly it started as part of my abuse recovery - as an attempt to connect memories to places.. That generalized to every place I had lived. So much has happened and because there have been so many places, a visit back to some of them helps to clarify events.
No place is identified as "home" except where I am for the moment. And it has always been that way. Home is where ever I am.
I envy many of you who lived a long time in one place. Although... I am an expert packer. One time when I was a JW we bought a house on Tues. Moved on Sat and by the following Wed every thing was unpacked and the house totally fixed with curtains and pictures on the walls. People who came to "help" on the Wed. were shocked.
I moved far away from my roots and will never go back. I could possibly return to the country of my birth but that is unlikely. To me, my place of birth is forever tied to my former life. Even when I returned to visit I continually bumped in to the people I left to get away from. I have built a new life; have new family and friends and lots to tie me to where I call home now. On top of that I feel disenfranchised from the country of my citizenship. (I have no representation, cannot vote as an absentee and am unlikely to qualify for any state pension. Thus, I am working my way to US citizenship.)
That is the biggest difference between us. I moved 4000 miles to escape, not to further Watchtower interests. It is important; you have to do what whatever will provide contentment and happiness.
Thirdson
PS I thought the topic was about something else. ROOTS! I like to shop at their stores whenever I visit Canada.
When I read the subject line of this thread, I immediately thought of the tv mini-series and book.
I have family still living in the town where I was born and raised, and so I still go back there every so often to visit them.
Although it's my old home, there is a certain unattachment when I go there. I left in order to start a new life, leaving behind many old memories and bad experiences 10 years ago. I have made a new life in the area I now live, and I have no wish to return. At this stage of my life anyway. As well, the city I now live has more family connections than my old one did, so in some ways I'm living where my family's history all started. Coming round full circle in some ways, I guess.
I go to visit some of the places of my childhood, every now and then. It just helps me to think. I am 24, so the age-argument doesnt apply to me (although younger cousins would disagree). And I had a wonderful childhood, with lots of love, I only came in contact with the witnesses when I was 17. But going back to those places, mostly nature, gives some calm and quiet. I never stay for very long, but it does help me to get my thoughts organised again.
SS, if it works for you, use it.
Viv.
P.S. Roots I am growing my own private crop, hehe, its legal in my country!
