That sounds like a fascinating film. And what a very interesting life for you parents (especially your mother, and especially at that time). I know that you two have your... um... issues... but it is still an interesting experience she went through.
I certainly didn't come from a small town, but I understand a bit of your mother's need to "get out." Staten Island was a place I had to leave and is, in some ways, one of the main reasons that I doubt I will ever live in New York again (even though I absolutely love Manhattan). I also have a sense of "restlessness" and, although I've sometimes lived in cities for several years, there can be this driving feeling to "move on."
It's been a very odd experience living in Fresno, where I've been for the past year. I believe that it is bigger than Stanislaus (probably quite a bit bigger), it is still part of that central valley of California. I'm very isolated because I am essentially dealing with what in some ways could be considered the "elite" of the area with my job. However, there is this pervasive sense in the area that people are born here, grow up here, and stay here. As someone who is used to cities with a lot of transplants, it's definitely a different world experience. (Although at my job there are a significant number of transplants, many (like me) who only really expect to be there a few years, and we seem to have an almost bemused take of the city. I think in some ways it because we are not really invested in the place... it's a good place for a little while, but (unless I got a phenomenal job opportunity) I doubt I would stay).
Anyway, probably semi-incoherent thoughts for way too late at night.
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I certainly didn't come from a small town, but I understand a bit of your mother's need to "get out." Staten Island was a place I had to leave and is, in some ways, one of the main reasons that I doubt I will ever live in New York again (even though I absolutely love Manhattan). I also have a sense of "restlessness" and, although I've sometimes lived in cities for several years, there can be this driving feeling to "move on."
It's been a very odd experience living in Fresno, where I've been for the past year. I believe that it is bigger than Stanislaus (probably quite a bit bigger), it is still part of that central valley of California. I'm very isolated because I am essentially dealing with what in some ways could be considered the "elite" of the area with my job. However, there is this pervasive sense in the area that people are born here, grow up here, and stay here. As someone who is used to cities with a lot of transplants, it's definitely a different world experience. (Although at my job there are a significant number of transplants, many (like me) who only really expect to be there a few years, and we seem to have an almost bemused take of the city. I think in some ways it because we are not really invested in the place... it's a good place for a little while, but (unless I got a phenomenal job opportunity) I doubt I would stay).
Anyway, probably semi-incoherent thoughts for way too late at night.
I hope your mom is okay.