Nothing feels quite like a homecoming. The sight of an old friend, a stroll on a familiar path or a meal in an old "haunt," all nourish a soul like a cup of hot tea on a winter day. As a college student, I attended Christian Brothers College, now Christian Brothers University, in Memphis, TN, for a semester before returning to St. Louis and St. Louis University. In those short five months, the people and places I encountered left indelible footprints on my soul. My heart grew wings, but my Memphis memories sprouted some deep roots.
Situated on the Mississippi River, Memphis and St. Louis share the ambiance of a "River City." On a recent visit to Memphis to appear on a morning talk show called "Alive at Nine," I saw a bumper sticker that joked about how the City of Memphis hoped it grew up to be as big as its brother, the City of St. Louis. I don't know if that's true, but when an 80s "hair" band called "The Aquanets" appeared in the studio at WREG, Channel 3, clad in full-length fur coats, teased out wigs, purple leotards and tiger-striped Cowboy hats, the five hour drive from St. Louis to Memphis seemed insignificant. Scheduled to appear before my segment to promote my new release, St. Louis Hustle, they performed a snappy version of Van Halen's "Jump." The anchor team at WREG, Alex Coleman and Mary Beth Conley, as well as the staff, were warm and welcoming. A friend remarked, "These Memphis people are just so nice."
Well, yes. They really are. They're nice, they're fun, and they're just like family. For me, going back to Memphis is not just another visit. It's like rediscovering a lost treasure. Now, that's what I call a homecoming!