havent-got-a-prayer:

I only have two days left in the city that I grew up in.  Years of memories play out like photo albums in my mind—tributes to everything that once was, but nothing more.  This is all still quite surreal.  One of my closest friends is coming down from school on Friday to make my last day that much more memorable.  Saturday morning will be an early start, and the afternoon will be reserved for my goodbyes.  The evening will be the moment when it all comes together and time stands still.

I was reading Cody’s post about his own town; and while there are some differences, I still found myself relating to that feeling of being unable to separate oneself from the past.  As the lyrics to one of my favorite musicals illustrates: “How do you leave the past behind when it keeps finding ways to get to your heart?  It reaches way down deep and tears you inside out until you’re torn apart.” That is why this move is such a good thing for my spirit.  My past is like a shadow that follows me into every new venture that I attempt to undertake here.  I am tired of constantly wondering who I’m going to run into and I am tired of feeling as though I must avoid certain places simply because of the memories attached.

I know that I will miss Corpus Christi so much; but this city has run out of room for me.  It’s ideas and values aren’t growing with my own, and I have too much history here to be truly happy if I were to remain.  California is my blank canvas, and I’m going to paint it whatever colors I want.

I really hope that you find what you’re looking for there; moving from your hometown is really hard, but I’m so glad I did it. It’s given me so much freedom to grow that I will never, ever regret the decision, despite leaving behind a family that needed me badly at the time.

Life’s an adventure, and yours is about to get so much more exciting - I’m really excited for you. =] Good luck.

(BTW, Rent is an absolutely amazing musical!)