the house that I grew up in in Philadelphia. I was raised in Mt. Airy, a section of the city. I lived in a small row home with my parents and two brothers. A small front yard and no back yard. A corner house in a long row or homes. From what I can remember, it was a 3 bedroom house and I shared a bedroom with one of my brothers. I remember there used to be tons of kids and we hung out all day and night. Back then, you would go out to play and your mom would say, “be back before dark”. No cell phones, no checking in. Just come home when the sun went down. I lived there from 1961 until 1971. The neighborhood started to change and my parents felt it would be best if we left so we moved into a 3 bedroom apartment and stayed there until I turned 16. I often wonder what became of the house and the neighborhood. I can still remember playing out front and in the school yard across the street. I know that the neighborhood went through some bad times but like most of Philadelphia, I hope that it recovered and rejuvinated itself. While the house was small. it was a great place to grow up. I don’t get back to Philadelphia that often but one of these days, I will take the trip back to Mt. Airy to visit 8501 Michener Street.
Very inspiring Jon, I have changed so many homes and countries in my life time that it would nice for me to return and to see what became of those homes and villages. Some are very good memories that linger in my head and the others are just too painful for me to remember.
Yvette
Your response was pleasantly unexpected, as the idea of ” going home” to your roots as a place you want to visit is interesting. My mother grew up on East 100th street, and while we go into the city all the time, she have never showed me the spot where she grew up. We are not even sure if the building is there anymore. I hope the neighborhood recovered and you have inspired me to seek out my mom’s old stomping ground!