Florida
My formative years were spent between Sarasota and St. Pete, a period that imprinted these places deeply in my being. It's a phenomenon that often happens when you experience a location during your youth, resulting in an unexplainable connection. Florida, in particular, holds a special place in my heart, a sentiment that lingers even now. I find myself longing for the distinct sensations that define the Sunshine State: the feel of sand underfoot, the scent of salt in the air, and the embrace of the warmth that envelops you. It's a connection that, to me, defines the essence of Florida, a place often misunderstood but also cherished by those who can look a little deeper.
For my parents, the 1960s-1970s in Florida were an epic era, perhaps the closest anyone in my family came to experiencing nirvana. My mother's reminiscences paint a vivid picture of a time when the state seemed to be a paradise. Yet, the passage of fifty years has brought significant change, altering the landscape in ways no one could have foreseen. My mother's family home, for instance, was claimed by the advance of Interstate 4, a symbol of the transformation that Florida has undergone.
