Renewal

I was born in Youngstown, Ohio. I was living there when, forty-nine years ago, the steel mills closed. I stayed on for some years, witnessed the city’s slide into stagnation, then moved away without regret. I’ve maintained my low expectations. My accountant is still there so I have occasion to return to Youngstown. This year, I was quite taken with what I saw. They’ve torn down dilapidated houses, planted trees, spruced up neighborhoods. There’s a new hospital. The mall and surrounding stores are filling their parking lots. I wouldn’t have believed it … but I saw it and was glad.

Photo by AVAKAphoto