Time to go home to the familiar

(We asked Triangle transplants to share what they miss most about the place they left during the holidays. Submissions will appear daily through Christmas Day.)

Having grown up in Pittsburgh, Pa., the things I miss the most are the Christmas flower show at Phipps Conservatory, the Christmas windows at Kaufmann's Department Store, Santa Claus coming around the neighborhood on a fire truck and going to the Strip District for the freshest foods.

I moved to Raleigh two years ago to be close to my son and daughter-in-law. The marriage did not work out, unfortunately, and now I find myself helping my son move into his first apartment.

Christmas will be special this year because it will be different without a lot of family.

I will have my original family back. My ex-husband is coming to spend Christmas with my son and me. We were married for 37 years and have been divorced for three years. You just never know how things are going to turn out.

I have decided to move back to Pittsburgh because I am so homesick. Raleigh is nice and I have found my favorite spots here. Logan's, the farmers market, the flea market at the fairgrounds and Homewood garden center, but it's not home, and it's hard to start a new life at age 60.

I will miss the wonderful friends I have made here in Falls River. Southern hospitality is the best.

I wish everyone in Raleigh and Pittsburgh a happy holiday.