"Paved Paradise And Put Up A Parking Lot"

Before anything else is said, I got that phrase from a Counting Crows song. I've always liked that group. Some of you may not and that is ok too. The reason for that phrase is very simple...at least to me.

Over the last week, I've been lucky to be in NC visiting family and friends. From Asheville (surprised I know, esp with all the trips I've made here thus far), Raleigh, Cary and Apex. Many of you know that I grew up in Cary and if you didn't, you do now.

Bet you're asking what is his point?

I was in Cary for Mother's Day and with family and friends and we drove around Cary. Showing a great friend of mine the house that I grew up in...ok really just to relive my childhood. But I know she liked seeing the area. Anyway, we drove past the house on Medlin Dr. and it was tranquil to see it again. Actually started getting tears in my eyes...good thing I had on sunglasses.

There was a dead end street there that used to be woods. As kids, we played in those woods so much. Daily actually. Just ask my mom. We had dirt bike trails, forts, tree houses, played all kinds of boy games. It was awesome. This past week, I noticed it was no longer woods...it had become a parking lot. Makes me sad a little just typing that part. But then again, did those woods serve their purpose? Once we were grown up and moved on, maybe they weren't needed anymore. I like to believe they were there for me....so I could be a kid there. My point is as the title goes...it was my paradise as a kid.

Ever had one of those? I hope so. Is it still there? Mine is, in my heart. It was my childhood. Go back and visit your paradise whether physically or by your childhood memories. Share one with me, I bet your paradise was just as fun as mine.