Troy P Zehnder

I do not blog as much as some people. Mainly its a time issue, and I don’t get paid to blog, so I do it for fun. My first blog ever was done in July of 2016. The month I was making a major life change and relocating. I imagine most people are a like when it comes to new things, you make new memories. Certain places hold special sentiments, but over time things change but the memories remain.

Being from a small rural area, nothing ever changed. Businesses were lost to retirement, an act of God, or tragedy, but seldom just closed up. New businesses would pop up every 10-20 years. There is just a stability in a small area where every day is the same. Not so the closer to an urban center you get. I have great memories of places I first visited that were meant to help me cement my new roots, but things change. After a while, I couldn’t help but think I may be a curse on the places I liked so much, but things change.

My first blog was written on the patio of a Starbucks in my soon to be new city. Driving past now? Gone. It is a Jersey Mikes. Starbucks relocated, and the memory is only that. I remember always stopping at a Burger King as I was driving back and forth looking for apartments. Now? Gone. Turned into a Culvers. I would always stop at Ruby Tuesday’s if I had the time to sit down for a meal on these trips. Now? Gone. It’s a First Watch breakfast joint. When I finally settled in, I enjoyed going to Buehlers for my groceries as it reminded me of home, since we had two. Now? Gone. Closed within the first month I was there. At least I had Kmart across the street from my apartment complex. Gone. Now it’s a Marc’s. The Dollar General store next door? It’s now relocated into a former Valley Video store which I also used to love going to with my special lady friend…pre-streaming services. Gone.

One of my best experiences ever was substitute teaching in middle school and high school. I taught at three different middle schools in town, and loved the memories that were created there. Now? All bulldozed to the ground in favor of one giant middle school. Gone. My part time job was at Advance Auto for a little extra cash. Gone. Closed it’s doors in favor of an antique store. At least I had my special treat next to the apartment complex. Sonic. Within walking distance. Ahhh. Gone. Now it’s a KFC. Since I was new to the area, and only knew one person, I would love going to the mall and people watching. My favorite thing to do in the summer months was to hit up the Mitchell’s Ice Cream store in the mall. Gone. Rent was too high. In the cooler months I could hit the Panera’s for my chai tea while I walked around. Gone. Rent was too high.

One beautiful fall day we decided to order some take out from Old Carolina BBQ and enjoy it on the patio. Old Carolina was my favorite place to go for good brisket. Today? Gone. Worst case scenario we could hit up Georgio’s for a quality pizza pie…Gone. Thanks to the men’s group I joined, I was able to make some very strong friendships with a small group of amazing men. One, John, was an older fellow settled into retirement. He would love to call and say, “Dinner on me tonight, let’s go to Eat N’ Park. I love that place.” Eat N’ Park is now a Chick Fil A, and my friend John passed away suddenly. Gone and gone. The closest golf course for some summertime entertainment? It’s being bulldozed in favor of a housing development. Gone.

I’m sure there would be more if I really looked around, but the point is that life goes on. For someone not accustomed to a lot of changes, the past six years have been a sobering realization that time never stops, and if there is something I really enjoy it is only a matter of time until it to is gone. Live for the moment and build lasting memories, there may not be another chance.

Blessings,

Troy