Damn. Must have been really tough to leave. I'm first gen Cali. My parents moved out there from the South when they were kids in WWII.
Still, I was born and raised there. Spent fifty years of my life in the place. The California I knew and loved is long gone. Just a distant memory. I went back out there in 2010, and was so creeped out, I couldn't wait to get back to Texas.
Yep, long gone! I go “home” at least twice a year and it makes me sicker every time. Still have two sons in San Diego and four grandchildren.
You were there a long time, too. None of the changes were for the good.