Amish Jawns

Philadelphia is the city of Extremes. Extremely Amazing food , cultural mixes, dancing, architecture, crime, corruption, and Numbness.

If you asked me 5 yrs ago where would I be living, I would have no doubt yelled “Philly!, Philly!. I used to imagine visiting other places but just driving more than 50 miles was foreign to me. The world changed in 2018. In June, my cousin passed from suicide. One of her last texts to me was to move out of the city. She lived in Reading. I really thought she was crazy to suggest I move. Her death popped the bubble of denial we survived in.

Working for an insurance company for almost a decade provided me with some stability. I Owned a small house in Kensington, a used car. My 3 boys and I were doing Great. After her death, my mask slipped. I couldn’t function properly. My oldest was so disrespectful, my middle kept getting into trouble in school and my youngest with autism - was barely able to stay in his class. He eloped 5x or more a day.

After an extremely difficult day at work, I pulled up to the house. Waiting , double parked for a spot. I noticed police were talking to a few neighbors. There was an ambulance parked at the corner. Finally I had a spot , pulled in and walked to my house. The boys were on the porch. The nearest officer asked if I had seen anything. I mentioned I just pulled in myself. Apparently a young man was killed at the corner. I noticed his body under a white sheet. I apologized for not being able to help, walked up the steps and told the boys dinner would be ready soon. We never mentioned the mans death. He was 20 yrs old, I found out later.

My sister lived in a small town 2 hours away and she offered to take my boys for a week. I was asked by my manager to take some time off. I took 4 wks. I had never taken vacation in the 9 yrs I had been there. I still didn’t plan to take one. But my boys wanted to see her home. My father took them down and I stayed home and crafted to de stress. After day 4, I realized they didn’t even text me. I called my sister and confirmed they were doing great. I went later that week to pick them up. It was so strange. I had never driven that far outside of the city before. As, I pulled up to my sisters rancher style home, I realized my youngest was outside. He was barefoot, walking around the lawn- waving at a neighbor. This was very odd, he didn’t like being outside, had sensory issues and stayed in his room. I almost dropped my keys. I asked him, “Hey Vince?!, how are you? , he replied “Hey Mom, I’m great “. I asked what was so different here than at home? He then said, “Mom, listen, there’s no noise, no smells. I’m able to hear myself think.” My sister explained they had a great time and I should spend the night. I did. This town was straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. They had a library, a pizza shop, a museum, a steam train and a local store that sold crafts and Wine Slushies!! I was sold. That was in July of 2018. I gave notice at work, sold the house and moved in with my sister. I was a new resident by that December.

After a few weeks the boys registered to their new high school. I rented a farmhouse that was the same cost as the little home in Philadelphia.

The town closes by 9p and most stores close on Sundays. But there’s no shootings, loud music, or drama here. They also have the worst Philly cheesesteaks ever.

In Philadelphia, my sons had lost at least 5 friends his age (14 & 15) and up to street violence. My son with Aspergers was treated like a leper. I knew that I had to get them out before it was too late. Leaving Philadelphia for a 1 acre farm In the country was definitely crazy but it worked.

My boys (both)graduated from high school this week. They are both working. One has a job thru the amazing social skills program the school set him up with, and Dereck works with a fish and game agency finding endangered species. My oldest got married and has his family also outside of Philadelphia.

Although the culture shock was real moving to a town of 2k after living on a block with 2k neighbors. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. I continue to craft. I make my period in history costumes and indigenous Taino jewelry and it’s kept me so busy. I’m actually Happy. I have days of Emotional pain that involve a blanket burrito, and tissues. But I’m no longer numb. I drive to Philly at least 3 times a week. After this pandemic I’ll continue to bring my friends and family down to help them pop the Numb bubble we were trapped within. My cousins and friends of all nationalities and races are amazed at my Amish neighbors. My old school aunties tell me about my grandparents farm in Puerto Rico. I tell them of my dream to buy acres and start a village. They laugh then sigh and smile. It’s so wonderful to see hope blossom in my family’s eyes.

Philadelphia still has amazing food. But the piece of mind here in Glen Rock is priceless.