August means “Hello, Ohio!”
They say you can never go home.
One of my most beloved authors of all time
is Bill Bryson, US/UK citizen whose books continue to entertain zillions of readers. In 1999, Bryson came out with a book called “Notes from a Big Country”. This was the title in Britain; in the States, it was called “I’m a Stranger Here Myself”. The text is a conglomeration of columns written for a British
paper, reflecting in the most hilarious manner on various aspects of repatriation. You see, Bryson – originally from the States – had married a Brit and lived there for 20 years
before returning to the USA. His observances of modern-day life in America made me
howl with laughter and nod in agreement, as I had made similar experiences.
Bryson likened returning home to “a little like waking from a long coma”. Changes that had occurred while he was absent left him feeling out of touch. Simultaneously, he took comfort in the familiarity of being
home. I could certainly vouch for that. I felt out of touch when returning after just one
year! Not only were there the latest gadgets and conveniences to astound, but I was unfailingly hit by a wave of nostalgia that
lodged itself in the pit of my stomach and wouldn’t budge. Nor could I explain it to my fellow citizens, for that matter. How to justify
the pang inside when a screen door slammed ona searingly hot day in Ohio?
Yes, in those early days we (already) had screen doors! They pushed to open and zapped closed with a bang, pulled by a tight spring attached between the door and the door frame. Screen doors and window screens made their debut in Austria only years later. (Little did I know then that an
Austrian firm would establish itself nearby, producing screen doors to die for!)
Somehow, I doubt that you, dear reader, are THAT interested in screen doors. But there were numerous other issues – one
being the feeling of appreciation. Yes, even if it’s all show, when in the States, I – as a
person – felt and feel more appreciated. Take Customer Appreciation Days – put on
by banks, bookshops, even the post office! On Customer Appreciation Day, you not only get discounts, you are oftentimes invited to free doughnuts and coffee in the lobby or you might get a hot dog in a bun with coleslaw. You sit around in the blazing heat
with other customers at a picnic table and shoot the breeze. Appreciation.
Another example? How about when a little old gentleman bags my groceries at Safeway Supermarket and the cashier wishes me a nice day? I know she doesn’t really mean it. Her line is more of a reflex, but I don’t care. It still makes me feel good. I
know the man is working at Safeway to supplement his meager retirement benefits. But still ….
Example #3: When I go to a restaurant, I like it when the waitress prances up to my
table and introduces herself: “Hi, I’m Trixi and I’ll be serving you today.” During the course of the meal, Trixi brings me free coffee refills with a smile and actually seems
to enjoy her job. I know it’s all a fake, but I still appreciate it. Indeed, in spite of all the
problems people face, they continue to exhibit an upbeat, albeit perhaps simplistic, look on life.
So what else did Bill Bryson and I thrill to when we went home besides screen doors and customer appreciation? Fresh corn-on-the-cob drowning in butter, lemonade stands along country roads, rolling hills dotted with red barns. Swarms of lightning bugs in the backyard, s’mores, laundry chutes, walk-in closets, garbage disposals, Jello with fruit pieces and marshmallows …. no, I’m not homesick, but
August memories bring a lump to my throat.