In September of 2019 I posted this picture and the caption “Desert to you. Home to Me “on my Twitter and Instagram feeds.
I have been home numerous times in my life. We always stayed at my parents’ home until
they sold it. In fact, I have stayed in
a hotel only twice in Midland, my father’s funeral and my 40th class
reunion.
The reunion stay was truly different. I had far more free time and drove around
looking at old haunts and favored locations.
It was my first time downtown in decades. And the first time every meal was at
restaurant.
So I took my wife to restaurants she never went to before,
like Wall Street and Luigi’s. And yes, neither
one changed. It was like going to lunch
with Dad or the family going to dinner in 1976.
We drove by my relatives old homes and went to the
refurbished Dennis the Menace Park.
We visited my old high school and took a tour. It underwent substantial changes over the
past 40 years. But some of the older
sections were preserved.
As I drove around my first day I thought it would be great
to move back to Midland. By the end of
reunion, I was not so sure. This is by no means a cut or dig about Midland, but
rather I think my interests and what Midland offers are not parallel.
Midland is a wonderful city for raising a family. It has a
sense of risk and independence due to the wildcatters (oil men) and
ranchers. The schools were outstanding
institutions and the teachers (most of them) outstanding individuals. This is not a formal city, only the bankers,
lawyers, and accountants wear suits.
Oilmen and other professionals did not.
It was the heyday of the company car. You could spot them a
mile away, usually a Chevrolet Impala.
Midland was a city of professionals. It was not an industrial town. At one time Midland had a Rolls Royce
dealership. A key point people forget, back
in the 70’s, the largest independent bank in the US was in the small city of
Midland (less than 100, 000 people).
I realize that this sounds very nostalgic. So let me end with these thoughts.
I grew up in a wonderful city with so many positive
attributes. I have a supportive and loving family. I developed my writing in Midland. I had incredible friends. While I could tell you lots of negative
aspects of Midland, they pale in comparison to my love of the city.
However, I also know I cannot really go back. The common saying is you cannot go home
again, for you are a different individual. It is seldom added that the home
also evolved.
You see a desert. I see home. And I always will.
