CHATHAM, NEW JERSEY

     The first nine years three months and thirteen days of my life were spent living in an amazing town named Chatham, New Jersey. I have so many great memories with my family growing up in Chatham. To say that I was upset about moving to Long Island is an understatement. I know I can also speak for my siblings as well. June 1, 1973 was the day the moving truck pulled away from our house at North Hillside Avenue and the day life as a New Yorker started for me. The transition was rough for me as a nine year old but maybe I'll blog about that some other time. 

     

     Every once in a while I always like to return to Chatham to walk around the town and reminisce. Chatham is located in northern New Jersey. Whenever I spoke at the Sunday school seminar in Hawthorne, NJ several years ago I would try to make my way to Chatham to see our old house, walk around the park that was across the street from our house and see my old grade school. This past March I spent an entire day walking around my old neighborhood and spending time prayer walking, reminiscing and clearing my head. Last July when I was in Pennsylvania celebrating my Mom's birthday, my brother told me he was driving my Mom to NJ for her high school reunion in September. He wanted to walk around Chatham. My brother also makes a point of visiting our hometown when he can. The date was September 18th, a Saturday. I took the day off and met my brother behind the library and at the old park. We had an amazing day walking around town, trying to figure out where some of our friends lived, walking around our old grade school Milton Avenue and sitting in the park and talking. We even ran into an old neighbor who still lives on our block after all these years. Chatham has always held a special place in my heart. It's my hometown. It's where life started for me. In 2016, my brother and I were able to see our old house. The present owners allowed us to have a tour. You have no idea how many memories flooded my mind as I walked from room to room. Growing up in Chatham, I have great memories of riding my bike all over town, playing with my friends in the park, playing hockey in our driveway, walking to school, walking home for lunch, walking back to school then walking home! Swimming in the "Park Pool", the 4th of July parade and listening to the Morristown Militia are other great memories I have as well as many others. We had family meals, we celebrated Christmas and I still remember running into the living room Christmas morning seeing all the gifts. The one thing I have always had no matter where I live is a family who loves me and we all get along amazingly! 

 

     I'm sure I will never live in Chatham, NJ ever again. It has become a "Yuppie" town. The sights, the sounds and "smells" (The Pizza Parlor) will always be something I will remember. Sometimes in life it's nice to look back and remember your roots. Just remembering where life began for all of us. In looking back,I have been looking forward a lot lately. I believe 2022 is going to be a great year for me. Personally I do have a lot of decisions to make. Regardless of that it was nice to look back,spend a day with my brother and to see the person I have become. I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I didn't move to Long Island. What would my life look like if I stayed in Chatham. I know my kids would have never been born and I don't think I would have served at Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle as a Pastor. God had a plan for my life and it's my goal every single day to follow His will even though sometimes I might not understand it. Thank you Chatham, NJ. You will always have a special place in my heart.