“I am, I said” by Neil Diamond

“L.A.'s fine, the sun shines most the time

And the feeling is "lay back"

Palm trees grow and rents are low

But you know I keep thinkin' about

Making my way back

Well I'm New York City born and raised

But nowadays

I'm lost between two shores

L.A.'s fine, but it ain't home

New York's home

But it ain't mine no more

"I am"... I said

To no one there

And no one heard at all

Not even the chair

"I am"... I cried

"I am"... said I

And I am lost and I can't

Even say why

Leavin' me lonely still

Did you ever read about a frog

Who dreamed of bein' a king

And then became one

Well except for the names

And a few other changes

If you talk about me

The story is the same one

But I got an emptiness deep inside

And I've tried

But it won't let me go

And I'm not a man who likes to swear

But I never cared

For the sound of being alone

"I am"... I said

To no one there

And no one heard at all

Not even the chair

"I am"... I cried

"I am"... said I

And I am lost and I can't

Even say why

"I am"... I said

"I am"... I cried

"I am"

Damn, this song says all I am feeling. It’s like L.A. is great and there are so many good parts about it but NYC is my home. 

But...

Is it my home anymore really?!?

I’m born and raised just like ND. 

It will always be a part of me. I am truly in between two coasts. 

That’s tough to maintain. I feel lost. Like I have no home. Even though I’m home at both places. Odd place to be. 

Stumbled upon this song Bc I was describing how I felt and my neighbor said, “Oh, like that Neil Diamond song?”

Looked it up right away and yep! 

Neil and I agree. “I am...”

Today, Did you leave the place you were born and raised?!?! Is it still your “home?” 

Do you get to go back home often?!? Any desire to?! Never left?!  All so interesting on how we can make such a major decision that changes every part of our lives. 

& Most never do...

2010 Census: “59% of people in the US were born in their state of residence.” https://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/acsbr10-07.pdf

With good reason! Especially, if you are from NYC ;)

Ps: photo credit Pintrest.