Thinking About Home

I have been thinking about home. In the four years and two months that I have been gone my vision of what American life should be has really become crystal clear. Now that I am returning in just two short months I have the following American comforts to look forward to:
*Neighborhoods
*A library in those neighborhoods, within walking distance preferably.
*Places to take a walk where it is not necessary to dodge dog poop at nearly every step, or used condoms, or trash.
*Birds chirping in the trees.
*Trees.
*Birds.
*Insects (besides mosquitos) like butterflies and ladybugs.
*A strip mall near every neighborhood.
*Walmart and Target close at hand.
*Barnes & Noble (or Border's) just a small drive away.
*A mug of steaming coffee.
*Carpet.
*Hallmark.
*Christmas music played everywhere from Thanksgiving up until January 1st.
*Santa Claus.
*Christmas Trees.
*Sidewalks.
*Thanksgiving. It is a strange sensation to celebrate a holiday and it is only your house celebrating. The whole world outside is doing its day to day thing. I never knew how comforting having just about everyone doing the same thing could feel. It makes me all warm inside.
*Little ones running around all dressed up on Halloween night.
*School buses.
*Shoulders and pullovers on the road.