For the past few days, Ive been reading my friends Im so Streator... posts, trying to come up with something creative from my 1980s hometown memory. I certainly remember a lot. But, looking back on it, the 80s dont really provide my best memories. I remember living in nine different houses or apartments before my 8th birthday. Because my parents were addicted to one substance or another for my entire childhood, our house really wasnt a fun place to be. Living on public assistance, we couldnt afford much. One time we moved into a three-bedroom house, where my brother was born. Wow, THREE bedrooms! A few months later, we moved out, and into another two-bedroom, state-subsidized apartment. Yeah, I remember a lot from those years. Today, I see kids all over Streator in similar circumstances, and I hope and pray they have what I had — the love and provision I received from my family, especially my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. I was blessed to have people in my life who were such great influences and took such good care of me. I know Im a work in progress and always will be. But I may not be alive today if it werent for my familys support. And the more I think about it, having grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins and friends of the family who care for you — that IS Streator. Its not about the corner stores, the movie theater, the ice cream shops, the five different Kroger locations or the drive-up liquor. Its about the network of support you have when you call yourself a Streatorite. So its hard for me to say Im so Streator. I am Streator. And Ill bet many of you are, too.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 22:17:33 +0000
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