Here and Gone

When I pack (for any trip), I inevitably forget at least one thing.  Doesn't matter how far in advance, or how up to the minute I start packing.  Doesn't matter if I make a list.  At this point, I've stopped fighting it.  I'll wait till I'm in the car, or on the plane/bus/train/camel and then I'll let my mind wander, waiting for the realization of what it is I left behind.  If it's something inconsequential, like a particular book, then I relax and move on, because I more than likely have other books.  If it's mildly annoying but still not crucial, like my headphones or a homework assignment, then I might stew briefly before moving on.  And even if it's something actually truly, really important - like a ticket, or my wallet - I'll probably just curse once or twice before turning around to get whatever it is.

There was only one place I can ever remember traveling to where I never worried if I had packed everything, because whatever I might need would be there when I arrived: home.  The first one.  The place I grew up.  My childhood room, still with my same bed, my books on the shelves, and some warm clothes in the dresser drawers.  A hairbrush in the bathroom cupboard.  Socks in my sister's dresser downstairs.  Books at the library.  And every step, every rug, every brick in the hearth, exactly how I remembered.

I know that the house I grew up in was not Perfect with a capital P, even if it was perfect for me.  My parents were more than ready to live someplace smaller, and six years since the house has been sold, I'm largely over the whole thing.  I love their little lake house, with its cozy rooms and view of the water.  It's Perfect for them - which is exactly as it should be.

When I pack up for a trip home, once I'm in the car and out on the highway and my mind starts its ramblings of what's missing from my bags tossed in the trunk, there's always a slight catch.  Whatever it is I've forgotten won't be there when I pull in to the driveway.  And when I think about where I would want to travel to, if I could go anywhere in the world...

It's to a place that no longer exists.

I still miss it.

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November writing prompts...blogging mojo...sounds like a good combination to me.  This will be my honest attempt to follow along with Desiree's 30 Days Hath November writing challenge, which I found last year through Noelle's awesome-blossom blog.  Stay tuned for what's ahead.

Day 01: A place I'd like to travel.
Day 02: A favourite movie.
Day 03: Something I never leave the house without.
Day 04: A friend I adore.
Day 05: My hometown.
Day 06: A book I'm reading.
Day 07: A song for the day.
Day 08: Three inspirational quotes.
Day 09: A close-up of my day.
Day 10: A favourite recipe.
Day 11: Three years ago today.
Day 12: The last item I purchased.
Day 13: Something I'm proud of.
Day 14: Style inspiration for the season.
Day 15: Three blogs I always read.
Day 16: Someone who inspires me.
Day 17: My family.
Day 18: What I wore today.
Day 19: Myself, one year ago.
Day 20: Something that means a lot to me.
Day 21: A self-portrait.
Day 22: What I love about my job.
Day 23: Eight things you didn't know about me.
Day 24: Something that makes me smile.
Day 25: The contents of my purse.
Day 26: Something I'm looking forward to.
Day 27: A silly self-portrait.
Day 28: A skill I'd like to learn.
Day 29: Something I could never tire of.
Day 30: Three wonderful things that happened this month.