The Gift of Old Ellicott City

How could anyone have known the rich lessons that would come from a "deprived" existence growing up in the slum of old Ellicott City? It was the best possible preparation for living in the real world that must come for all of us. What can anyone that grows up in a suburban existence write about later in life, void of the learned wisdom that small town life can give? Growing up in the shadows of so much history permeates itself in your psyche to such a degree that the memory of events stay with you all your life. So many individuals, events, and the passage of time contributed to the historic fabric of the town, and it seems that attempts to record them are futile. I have made many attempts to start the process, but usually give up. Here I am in the summer of 2007 making what I think will be my final and successful attempt. (And as it turns out, here I am again in the Spring of 2009 attempting to do the same thing again)