--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you finally go back to your old…" description: "\"When you finally go back to your old hometown, you find it wasn't the old home you missed but your childhood\" — Sam Ewing" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ae/sam-ewing-12918_childhood_when-you-finally-go-back-to-your-old-hom_2042124.jpg" --- # When you finally go back to your old hometown, you find it… ![“When you finally go back to your old hometown, you find it wasn't the old home you missed but your childhood” quote by Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ae/sam-ewing-12918_childhood_when-you-finally-go-back-to-your-old-hom_2042124.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ae/sam-ewing-12918_childhood_when-you-finally-go-back-to-your-old-hom_2042124.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ae/sam-ewing-12918_childhood_when-you-finally-go-back-to-your-old-hom_2042124.jpg) > “When you finally go back to your old hometown, you find it wasn't the old home you missed but your childhood” [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Returning home reveals you miss the feelings of childhood, not the physical place. **In simple terms:** You miss the past emotions, not the town. Key Takeaway Focus on preserving cherished memories. Themes nostalgia identity place memory Mood melancholic thoughtful Type reflective emotional When to use this quote - family reunions - travel - retirement - personal reflection Key Concepts psychology memory studies sociology Questions to Reflect On - What childhood feeling do you miss most? - How can you recreate that feeling now? A Different Perspective Nostalgia may idealize the past, overlooking present realities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Childhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childhood/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Hometown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hometown/) ## Related quotes > [Far more disturbing than any spook house at an amusement park is a ride through the old hometown if you've been away for years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-carroll/far-more-disturbing-than-any-spook-house-at-an-amusement-park-is-a/) [Jonathan Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-carroll/) > [I missed out on my childhood. I had to work hard, but I was immediately given a place in playback.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lata-mangeshkar/i-missed-out-on-my-childhood-i-had-to-work-hard-but-i-was-immediately/) [Lata Mangeshkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lata-mangeshkar/) > [It takes a heap o' children to make a home that's true,And home can be a palace grand, or just a plain, old shoe;But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-untermeyer/it-takes-a-heap-o-children-to-make-a-home-that-s-true-and-home-can-be/) [Louis Untermeyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-untermeyer/) > [Coming back to 'Saath Phere' after a break of more than six months is like walking into an old home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neena-gupta/coming-back-to-saath-phere-after-a-break-of-more-than-six-months-is/) [Neena Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neena-gupta/) > [Chicago's my old home town.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikan/chicago-s-my-old-home-town/) [George Mikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikan/) > [I did gymnastics, I went to school, then I did homework. I missed out on a childhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-did-gymnastics-i-went-to-school-then-i-did-homework-i-missed-out-on/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [“When I saw snooty guy, I missed my childhood.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/when-i-saw-snooty-guy-i-missed-my-childhood/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [If you never jumped from couch to couch as kid to avoid the lava, then you missed out on childhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-never-jumped-from-couch-to-couch-as-kid-to-avoid-the-lava-then/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I had an amazing time on 'Stargate: Atlantis', and a really great run on that show, which was shot in my hometown. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel-staite/i-had-an-amazing-time-on-stargate-atlantis-and-a-really-great-run-on/) [Jewel Staite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel-staite/) > [We've made a huge effort globally and in the US, in getting kids jobs. This is one piece. The South Bronx and inner-city schools…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-dimon/we-ve-made-a-huge-effort-globally-and-in-the-us-in-getting-kids-jobs/) [Jamie Dimon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-dimon/) > [In 1967, my mother - then Francie Weinman - graduated from Northwestern University with a degree from the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-bash/in-1967-my-mother-then-francie-weinman-graduated-from-northwestern/) [Dana Bash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-bash/) > [Even in my hometown of Linkoping where I grew up... the church we had was very lavish - very boasty. So it ticked most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobias-forge/even-in-my-hometown-of-linkoping-where-i-grew-up-the-church-we-had/) [Tobias Forge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobias-forge/) > [“My family was poor, but my childhood days in Mizonokuchi were the happiest of my life. Even now, when I think about my hometown,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaji-ishikawa/my-family-was-poor-but-my-childhood-days-in-mizonokuchi-were-the/) [Masaji Ishikawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaji-ishikawa/) > [My mother has been really instrumental in raising a lot of money through the Boys & Girls Club in my hometown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/my-mother-has-been-really-instrumental-in-raising-a-lot-of-money/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [I've always wanted to throw a first pitch out, and nothing like doing it near your hometown where you live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-amendola/i-ve-always-wanted-to-throw-a-first-pitch-out-and-nothing-like-doing/) [Danny Amendola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-amendola/) ## More by Sam Ewing > [Success is when your name is in everything but the telephone directory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/success-is-when-your-name-is-in-everything-but-the-telephone-directory/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) > [On the plains of hesitation bleach the bones of countless millions who, at the dawn of decision, sat down to wait, and waiting died.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/on-the-plains-of-hesitation-bleach-the-bones-of-countless-millions/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) > [Youth is when you think you'll live forever. Old age is when you wonder how you've lived so long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/youth-is-when-you-think-you-ll-live-forever-old-age-is-when-you/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) > [The sight of home looks best after you've traveled hundreds of miles to get away from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/the-sight-of-home-looks-best-after-you-ve-traveled-hundreds-of-miles/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) > [We are all born into the world with nothing. Everything we acquire after that is profit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/we-are-all-born-into-the-world-with-nothing-everything-we-acquire/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) > [Some people are much like blisters-they don't show up until the work is done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/some-people-are-much-like-blisters-they-don-t-show-up-until-the-work/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) > [If you lend someone 20 dollars and never see that person again, it's probably worth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/if-you-lend-someone-20-dollars-and-never-see-that-person-again-it-s/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) > [Crime in the cities is very discouraging. Apartment house dwellers have locks, bolts, chains and bars on their doors. It takes a tenant longer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/crime-in-the-cities-is-very-discouraging-apartment-house-dwellers/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) > [The fastest way to meet new people is to pick up somebody else's change at a cocktail bar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/the-fastest-way-to-meet-new-people-is-to-pick-up-somebody-else-s/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) > [In many instances, marriage vows would be more accurate if the phrase were changed to 'Until debt do us part'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/in-many-instances-marriage-vows-would-be-more-accurate-if-the-phrase/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) > [Don't drive as if you own the road; drive as if you own the car.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/don-t-drive-as-if-you-own-the-road-drive-as-if-you-own-the-car/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) > [Success has a simple formula: do your best, and people may like it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/success-has-a-simple-formula-do-your-best-and-people-may-like-it/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) > [It's not the hours you put in your work that counts, it's the work you put in the hours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/it-s-not-the-hours-you-put-in-your-work-that-counts-it-s-the-work-you/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) > [Inflation is when you pay fifteen dollars for the ten-dollar haircut you used to get for five dollars when you had hair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/inflation-is-when-you-pay-fifteen-dollars-for-the-ten-dollar-haircut/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) > [An expert is someone called in at the last minute to share the blame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/an-expert-is-someone-called-in-at-the-last-minute-to-share-the-blame/) [Sam Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) [Explore all 52 Sam Ewing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/) ## More Childhood quotes > [“Children's lives are always beginning and adults' lives are always ending. Or is it the opposite? Your childhood is always ending and your adult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-espach/children-s-lives-are-always-beginning-and-adults-lives-are-always/) [Alison Espach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-espach/) > [“From childhood’s hour I have not been As others were—I have not seen As others saw—I could not bring My passions from a common…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/from-childhood-s-hour-i-have-not-been-as-others-were-i-have-not-seen/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) > [We were so poor as kids. I didn't even see a bathtub, running water, hot water, commode - we didn't have any of that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-robertson/we-were-so-poor-as-kids-i-didn-t-even-see-a-bathtub-running-water-hot/) [Phil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-robertson/) > [I had a rough upbringing. Group homes. Foster homes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-shamrock/i-had-a-rough-upbringing-group-homes-foster-homes/) [Frank Shamrock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-shamrock/) > [When I talk about my childhood I used to say it as if it was scripted and I'd make jokes because it was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-katona/when-i-talk-about-my-childhood-i-used-to-say-it-as-if-it-was-scripted/) [Kerry Katona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-katona/) > [Every man remembers his childhood as a kind of mythical age, just as every nation's childhood is its mythical age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giacomo-leopardi/every-man-remembers-his-childhood-as-a-kind-of-mythical-age-just-as/) [Giacomo Leopardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giacomo-leopardi/) > [It's a very familiar type of place where people either go to their house on the lake or they get together in different places.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-carell/it-s-a-very-familiar-type-of-place-where-people-either-go-to-their/) [Steve Carell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-carell/) > [Ideal for the child and society in the best of times, Rudolf Steiner's brilliant process of education is critically needed and profoundly relevant now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-chilton-pearce/ideal-for-the-child-and-society-in-the-best-of-times-rudolf-steiner-s/) [Joseph Chilton Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-chilton-pearce/) > [Downstairs in my house, I have a museum room. I keep all of my awards down there, and childhood photos, and even all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-kelly/downstairs-in-my-house-i-have-a-museum-room-i-keep-all-of-my-awards/) [R. Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-kelly/) > [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. After that, you know too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/childhood-is-last-chance-gulch-for-happiness-after-that-you-know-too/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [On paper, it looks rough, but I had a great childhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-morton/on-paper-it-looks-rough-but-i-had-a-great-childhood/) [Samantha Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-morton/) > [Let positive, strong, helpful thoughts enter into your brains from very childhood. Lay yourselves open to these thoughts, and not to weakening and paralysing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/let-positive-strong-helpful-thoughts-enter-into-your-brains-from-very/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [I always knew that I was kind of bored; the regular life of a child didn't fit me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-ricci/i-always-knew-that-i-was-kind-of-bored-the-regular-life-of-a-child/) [Christina Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-ricci/) > [Children are not a zoo of entertainingly exotic creatures, but an array of mirrors in which the human predicament leaps out at us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/children-are-not-a-zoo-of-entertainingly-exotic-creatures-but-an/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [I'm not sure I would have ever started to draw, let alone write, if my childhood hadn't been so happy. It was a mixture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tove-jansson/i-m-not-sure-i-would-have-ever-started-to-draw-let-alone-write-if-my/) [Tove Jansson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tove-jansson/) [Browse all 5,837 Childhood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childhood/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you finally go back to your old hometown, you find it wasn't the old home you missed but your childhood", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sam Ewing" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/when-you-finally-go-back-to-your-old-hometown-you-find-it-wasn-t-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Childhood" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/when-you-finally-go-back-to-your-old-hometown-you-find-it-wasn-t-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ae/sam-ewing-12918_childhood_when-you-finally-go-back-to-your-old-hom_2042124.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ae/sam-ewing-12918_childhood_when-you-finally-go-back-to-your-old-hom_2042124.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ae/sam-ewing-12918_childhood_when-you-finally-go-back-to-your-old-hom_2042124.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When you finally go back to your old hometown, you find it wasn't the old home you missed but your childhood” — Sam Ewing", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sam Ewing", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ewing/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When you finally go back to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/when-you-finally-go-back-to-your-old-hometown-you-find-it-wasn-t-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ewing/when-you-finally-go-back-to-your-old-hometown-you-find-it-wasn-t-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```