Hillbilly Elegy

few short months, the Marine Corps had
already changed my perspective.
I soon left home for a permanent
assignment in the Marine Corps, and life
at home continued on apace. I tried to
return as often as I could, and with long
weekends and generous Marine Corps
leave, I usually saw my family every
few months. The kids looked a bit bigger
every time I saw them, and Mom moved
in with Mamaw not long after I left for
boot camp, though she didn’t plan to
stay. Mamaw’s health seemed to
improve: She was walking better and
even putting on a bit of weight. Lindsay
and Aunt Wee, as well as their families,
were healthy and happy. My greatest fear