"You can never go home again, but the truth is you can never leave home, so it's all right."-Maya Angelou
It was only until the last few years where I could really understand the veracity of that quote. Being a Philadelphian is to be full of conflicting emotions regarding yourself, your town, and your world view. For many years I took the W. C. Fields approach to my hometown (and his) where you kind of downplayed it by making jokes about the notions others have about my hometown.
But in truth, I'm proud of my town and I'm glad that I was raised there. So much so, I no longer feel it necessary to shrug it off like an old coat that is beneath me.The problem was not with my town it was with me and my feelings toward myself.
Now living in central PA I'm fortunate to have two places I call home and be glad that each will have me.
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I think you have to look at Philadelphia through your own eyes and leave what everyone says about it behind. It is a wonderful city with surprises and charm on every corner. I don't think people stop and see what it is really all about when they go there ... most cruise right through the middle or scream about the traffic of the Expressway, but few wander into South Philly, or Old Town to see what it is really all about. Where else can you walk streets that are so historic? Philly is like Boston, only it doesn't brag -- it just is. I miss it, but only after leaving.