Of Ghosts of Past Lives

As part of my road trip I decided to not bypass Palmerston North as you’d usually expect a traveller to do.The reason?Palmerston North is my home town. I can’t actually remember the last time I’d returned.It was very strange approaching from the North. The roads were the same. The buildings were the same - albeit many with different tenants and signage.Passing by the entry-ways to my old High School I started seeing the Ghosts. The almost tangible memories of my past.I could see myself arriving to school in the morning and locking my bike having fought for the best spot. I could see myself running around the fields at the behest of my PhysEd teacher (bastard).Driving towards where my old house is, I could see myself falling off my bike through a variety of means - turning into my friends bike, hitting parked cars, hitting power poles because I was reading a book on my handlebars (yes, I actually did that!). I could see myself practicing hockey skills with former teammates in their driveways as I passed their houses.I passed Terrace End school (this was not my Primary school, that was Hokowhitu School) where I had to attend swimming classes at the Thistle Swimming Club (God, I hated those). I could see the bank that I had attempted to ride my bike up - and failed.I turned into Edwards Place - my old street. And time stopped. There were the lawns I mowed every Saturday for their aged owners. My neighbours' houses. And I was surprised to see how little things have changed over the years.  A little paint here and there, some trees removed, others planted.Here’s a photo of my old home.It has changed - but not much. A few trees I climbed obsessively have gone. Shrubs I had hidden behind whilst defending the property from the invading hordes had been replaced. But the heart of the property - my fathers’ garden - remains. It was his pride, joy and solace. And it remains.It was a visit that affected me a little more than I expected.I really did have a happy childhood. Uncomplicated. Untainted by the things that life can throw at you. The Ghosts of my young self playing and learning and growing up were there. They challenged me. Am I now creating new Ghosts that I can look back on with pride and fond recollection twenty years from now?The years that have passed since leaving Palmerston North have been a journey. Trials. Yes. But there have been moments of joy, of satisfaction and of pride.I now have an opportunity to make the most of the life I have been given. I have learned much.- Simon