When I Was a Young Girl

We had another very relaxing day. Hubby went to the parish hall to help set up for the social after 9:00 Mass. While he was there, I got ready to go to Brooklyn’s basketball game. The girls play so well together. They won 43-6. Brooke played for much of the game. Since it is Sunday, I decided to document some derelict views from what was the most prosperous area of our county when I was a kid. Believe me, this is a tiny snippet of the true picture. We only drive in this area when absolutely necessary and some areas are definitely off limits. Brooklyn’s game was at the high school on this road. Thankfully, it is outside of my family’s school district. It is located right outside the large base built in the ‘40s. This base’s mission, population and importance has greatly expanded over the years and we now live in one of the wealthiest counties in Maryland. Sadly, crime follows wealth. Last week, a man and woman murdered and dismembered a 50 year old man in this area. Murder, robberies, assaults, huge drug raids, and homelessness are now common place. What used to be our premier shopping area is all but abandoned because shoppers know they are not safe there. Our relatively new (25 years) neighborhood is located not far from the current and constantly expanding prime shopping area. We do not shop alone or at night unless absolutely necessary. Will this area see the same fate in our life time? How I long for the quiet little podunk farming town of yesteryear. But my children and grandchildren (who are old enough) have all secured wonderful jobs leading to successful careers because of the expansion. Prosperity is a double-edged sword. We came home and simply did nothing for the rest of the day. Sending wishes that your hometowns remain safe. Thanks for dropping by. “Abandoned buildings are like abandoned people. They grow bitter and start to keep bad company. - Louise Welsh