Last week I went back to my home town of Wewoka, Oklahoma. I hadn’t been back since my dads funeral nine years ago. They were having their annual holiday bazaar and I was going to have a table set up to sign books. I got to town early so I drove around for a bit. Not going to lie, it was sad. It is a small town, it was when I lived there and it has only gotten smaller. There were a lot of memories but it was also a little sad as I saw boarded up windows and empty store fronts. I got to the Seminole Nation Museum where the signing was and walked inside and was immediately taken back in time. So much was exactly as I remembered it and yet everything was different. They have done a wonderful job restoring, expanding and overall improving upon what was already there. I found my table and set my books down, they had done a great job making me feel at home. I began to walk around and say hello to old friends. There were hugs and photos and a few tears. The town my not be much to look at but the people, they are genuine and the same as I remember. It really felt good to be home. I spent the day visiting, signing books and talking about my dad. I sold a lot of books and signed even more that people had purchased online. I was nervous about going home after so many years away but I smiled all the way home and promised myself that I won’t stay gone so long next time. This week is Thanksgiving and among the things I am thankful for is the town and the people who raised me, who helped shape me into the person I am today. It’s nice to know you can go home again.
