Well, the saying is ‘you can’t go home again.” So, you can…but not really. I went home for a booksigning event at Boswell’s Book store in Milwaukee, where I grew up. It was bittersweet. My parents are nolonger with us, and I had not been back since a High School reunion a few years ago, which I always enjoy.
This visit, a distant cousin who I only knew from Facebook, took me to lunch and a city tour. Just lovely of Jeff. And it too was mixed in that the city looked so different, I had no memory of the new, clean and pretty place which was built up all around.
Then I asked to go to my childhood home. Big Mistake! I was so surprised to see the house, painted anothercolor, it looked only vaguely familiar and so much closer to the houses next to it. It made me feel sad thinkingof the past and feeling so alienated from it now.
My great friends from High School showed up for the book signing and that was wonderful and yet I felt disconnected as I talked to them about my life since. We went for pizza and that was lovely, reconnecting and laughing about now and then.
So, the event was successful, lots of book sold which made the store happy. I, quite teary remembering how my parents would always be waiting for me at the airport and how I hated to leave them there as well. Now,I took myself there and back and memories are all I have of home.
Susan,
I came across an article about your work on many of the the groundbreaking sitcoms of the 70s and 80s. I recall neighbors on Kent Avenue in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin who had a daughter who also wrote for the MTM show. I little digging and I discovered it was you!
I lived a few doors down from your parents and used to cut their lawn and shovel their driveway when I was in high school. I remember that your parents were so proud of you and the work you were doing on some of the best television comedies of all time. Your father introduced me to you briefly during one of your visits. Your parents were lovely and used to let the neighbor kids climb their big apple tree in their backyard. Your Mother would bring us cookies when we were playing. I am now living in the NY metro area with my wife and often miss the innocence and cordiality of growing up in suburban Milwaukee.
I wish you all the best. I just downloaded your book, Hot Pants in Hollywood, and am looking forward to reading it.
OMG!! FAB JUST SAW THIS. THANKS NEIGHBOR!