The thing that bothers me about Colstrip

(umm, just in case you're brain-dead, that's a picture of Colstrip above.  heh.)

My mom and I (and Jake) were in her suburban, driving to Murfreesboro on Memorial Day.  Lou was at work, Kathy was at work, and my dad didn't feel like going, so it was just us.  We drove from her house, down (Name Name) Parkway past the turn to my house, to get to the interstate.  I was looking around and showing her the new buildings that had gone up in the last few weeks and we had a conversation something along these lines (I'm in blue):

It's great to see all these new buildings and businesses go up.  Even since two years ago when we first moved here, this strip has completely changed.  It's been growing right before our eyes, I love it.  Just in the past 18 months they've finished the new hospital, built Wendy's, Arby's, Publix, three banks, Chili's, Starbucks, A&W/Long John Silvers, and a church.  And that's just what stands out in my mind.

Mmmm-hmmmmmmmm.

And you know, that's the thing that bothers me about Colstrip.

What.

Every time I've been away from somewhere else and I go back -- like Bloomington, Indiana, parts of Nashville, even Billings! -- there is all this development, all these new businesses and buildings sprung up everywhere.  But that's just not the case in Colstrip.  It never changes.  There's never anything new.   If nothing else, there are more businesses CLOSED since the last time you've been there.  Even my elementary school closed!  When I dream about Colstrip, I always dream that it has developed like a normal town and there's all this new stuff everywhere and it's so cool.  Even my subconscious is frustrated with the town.

But why do you CARE?  Why does it bother you?  You don't live there anymore, you don't HAVE to go there ever again.  It shouldn't matter.

But it DOES.  Because it's a part of me.  A FOURTEEN YEAR part of me.  My formative years were all spent there.  You can't spend that much time of your life somewhere, especially at that age, and not have it affect you deeply.  Even if you do walk away.  Even if you never go there again.  It's still there in a part of you, following you around your whole life.

. . .

You have issues.

Yeah, I know.

Comments

[Priscilla]

I get ya Jen. Its like that for me about Fredericksbug VA. I lived there for like 10 yrs as a child and I hated it. I have no desire to ever go back, but you remember it. You think about it. But I have issues too so. :-)

[Andrea]

I completely understand! Only my parents are still there, so I WILL be going back from time to time! I stayed there for 6 months before I came out to Hawaii and it was pure torture!! Thank God my parents like to get out in the country any chance they get! I would have seriously gone nuts! I'll always miss the near-by country, but I'm not going to miss the town. I just hope that Mom and Dad will get out of there soon (they want to, but are waiting for Dad to get a good retirement from the plant). It is very sad that it seems to be falling apart. Every time I go back it seems like something new has LEFT or gone out of business instead of it constantly growing! My mom says it is very depressing. Too bad...it had such potential a long time ago.

[Andrea]

Oh, one more thing! Did you hear that Stacey H20s got married last weekend to Rusty Ba*tey?! Interesting...I'll have to e-mail you later about my thoughts on that one!! ;o)

[Shelly]

Hey, that is what bothers me about Colstrip too! That is why I don't live there....anymore.

[Shelly]

Andrea~ You are from Colstrip too?! Who are your parents? Did you know Holly too?

[Jen_Jake'smom]

Hey Shelly --
Andrea is my best friend from high school, she's two years younger than me -- which puts her graduating in '99. She was in Myian's class, I think she knew her. Her last name is F@rr, I don't think you would know her parents. (Aren't Mormon.) She's my bestest sista-friend in the world. I wrote a blog entry just about her on January 13th, if you check the January archives you'll see it. ;o)

Jen

[Andrea]

Hey Shelly! I actually lived right across the street from Mianne and Tyler on Olive Dr. I knew Holly, but only as Mianne and Tyler's sister, though. I remember when I was in elementary school she taught us a cheer about bananas with jumps and pom-poms and everything!! Therefore, of course, I thought she was super cool!!! ;o)

[Jen_Jake'smom]

LOL -- Andrea, you are HILARIOUS! I didn't realize they lived right by you. And also, it's nice to see how Mianne's name is actually spelled (I could never figure it out!) heh.

Jen

[Shelly]

I remember the Farrs! Small world!