This picture is that of a house I grew up in. Seen on the right as it was in 2004 when I last visited and on the left as of today (Sunday). I was in my car, about to leave for my grandmother's when something in my mind told me "grab your camera". I hesitated, but I eventually ran back in, not knowing what I was going to find.

This house resides on Hamilton Street of Flint, Mi. Though 99.5% of you won't know where that is, it serves to put into perspective what this country has become and while still standing, but visibly violated, it will forever cast a shadow on my memories.

Flint was THE other half to Detroit, the Motor Capital of the world, but with GM having gone through bankruptcy and Delphi (also known as AC [Sparkplugs]), no one thought anything bad would happen, but when you remove so many jobs from one area, there is nothing left for the community to hold onto. Houses where friends lived are now vacant, burned or completely gone altogether.

I had a heavy heart as I drove up upon my old dwelling, like finding an old friend who no longer remembers you as you pass by and exchange a glance. At the time, even as the neighborhood was breaking down (and the area around it), this house still stood, seemingly in defiance of the decay around it.

I was able to go inside, having no one residing there any longer, looking over the inside and remembering that it was so much bigger inside when I was a lot younger, like so many things, such as the staircase leading up to the second floor, I don't remember it being so steep with such narrow steps.

The house will never be livable again, even if by some miracle it could be rebuilt, the surround neighborhood is in such decay that I doubt anyone would even set foot into it, aside from vandalizing and hiding out.

A house is just a house, but it's the memories that you hold onto that make it seem so much more and to see it in this shape just tears my heart apart, even being so young, it was more than a house, it was a home. I really only lived in it for a few short years, possible 4-5 (in the mid 80's) before moving to where I currently live now, my parents decided that Flint was getting 'too bad' to reside in... and that was when AC/Delphi/GM were still going strong, but the world was changing and crime was becoming a problem.

So, now an hour before April 1st, this day of Easter, I close another chapter in my life. One I never thought I would see come to a close, though I'm sure inevitable considering where it is. I feel I won't ever have to go back there again, which to some you probably feel that visiting an old home is a waste of time, but for me, it's just another part of me that will die and all that will be left are memories, the physical nature will be gone.