Brookfield, Ohio

Last night, Valerie, Krista, and I stayed at a Fairfield Inn in Youngstown, OH.....so many times during my childhood, Dad would talk about Youngstown, Brookfield, and Warren, OH, and Sharon, PA. 

Valerie and I drove to Collar-Price Road in Brookfield and found where Dad grew up. We stood on the same ground he did, saw lightning bugs like he did, and heard birds like he did. The home had been torn down, decades ago, but the garage is there, the trees they planted still there.

We stopped by the home of Howard Curry. He and his wife knew Grandpa Tom, Grandma Sallie, Aunt Nancy, Dad, Uncle Bob, and Uncle Jerry. Mrs. Curry said, "It has been years since anyone asked about the Martins." Mr. Curry explained how to find "The Martin Place."

Dad's voice continues to echo in my mind, "When I was a boy growing up in Ohio...."

We're here, Dad, we're here.