Etters, PA

For the neighborhood I am going to describe I am going to go back to my childhood home. My childhood home is located in Etters, Pennsylvania (York County), and I lived there for thirteen years of my life. When I think back to my old neighborhood all I can remember is my endless backyard. I call it endless because I wouldn’t just count my backyard; I included the Basso’s backyard and the Tamim’s backyard-my two closest family friends. Every time I came home from school I would put on my running shoes and head out the creaky garage door to the two houses to the right of mine. My younger sister and I would go door to door ringing bells and shouting names; running back and forth feeling the cool, brisk, fall air fill our lungs and produce that dry cough only northern states can create. The sun would peak down on us through the tiny oak tree spaces in the grown oak “tree house”. There was a black tire swing hanging from a sturdy branch of an oak tree with as many stories as the years it has been there. The three-inch tall green grass would slow the fast runners down when running up the steep hills sloping from back yard to front yard with scattered trees. The only sound would be the loud screams from victims of the ghost in the graveyard and the quiet whisperings of plans towards the next best hiding spots. Since I have moved to Florida, I realize that I miss the smell of the air. Pennsylvania had such a crisp, distinct smell to the air that just brought a relaxing sense over me. I would only taste the dryness of my mouth; almost like tasting stale blood from bleeding gums. It would almost be painful to swallow because the air was so clean and powerful. I still miss playing with my neighbors to this day; there are no trees to climb until you feel like you are queen of the world and no air to raise the hairs on your arms. I do not hear the comforting, yes comforting, screams of children having the time of their life outside; never anticipating the call of their parents’ voice telling them it is time to come inside and get ready for bed. My childhood home created a memorable childhood that I will never regret and one I will cherish forever.
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