Day 12

Thursday, September 12, 2024

Morton, Illinois AKA: The Pumpkin Capital of the World

As I’m walking through my hometown tonight, I find it amazing that a smell so foul could possibly bring fond memories to mind. It’s pumpkin festival season and the scent of pumpkins is thick in the air, but I have so many good memories of pumpkin festival and this time of year that it’s hard not to smile.

I would have given anything to live where my dad does now when I was growing up just for its access to the festival grounds. There was nowhere I wanted to be besides the festival. I loved everything about it. I missed volleyball tournaments. I would’ve skipped just about anything to go.

Walking alone at night through town and past my middle school gives me a sense of power; a sense of control. I never felt that I was able to do this growing up and now, there are no consequences. I let my younger self out. I say hello. I listen to her. I smile. I walk on curbs. I breathe. I assure her that it’ll be ok.