Goodbye Letter

Goodbye Letter

Photo by Paola Romero: Free Weekly Editor Blair Jackson says, 'Goodbye' to Fayetteville.

Dear Fayetteville,

Next Thursday, probably before the Free Weekly hits the stands, I will be on the road to Houston.

It was less than a year ago that I left the Florida beaches to come back to you, and I hope you don’t think I’m fickle for leaving so soon. Truth be told, I’m a bit of a gypsy, and wanderlust will always overtake me from time-to-time.

I know.

I know.

I’m not getting any younger. This constant moving has to stop at some point. I need to settle down and take root. But don’t worry, Houston is a concrete city, and I already know that my roots belong here with you, in the Ozarks.

I hope you don’t feel betrayed that I’m leaving you for Texas. For all of its swagger and industry, it will never be home.  One day, I will be back.

What I really wrote to say was, “Thank you.”

Thank you for all of the wonderful people you have brought together. Thank you for being so persistent in your funkiness and for teaching me to love the banjo. Thank you for having such wonderful city gardeners, especially on the Downtown Square. Thank you for all of the great breweries, bakeries, restaurants and bars. Thank you for caring about art and music and nature.

Thanks for letting me be myself.

I apologize for the sentimentality, but you really should know how great you are, and how much I will miss you.

Love, Blair

P.S. The Block Street Party is the best thing ever! I will be back next year.

 

Categories: Commentary