The way your street looks when you come back from a long trip is a welcome sign nobody had to build.

Coming home refreshes your eyes for about ten minutes. For that short window you see your own street the way a visitor would, before familiarity flattens it again and it goes back to being scenery. Nothing changed while you were away except your ability to see it. The window closes fast, and it is the only free look you get.

After the next time you are away, even for a weekend, walk the last stretch instead of being dropped at the door. Look at the things you stopped seeing years ago. Try to keep hold of one of them.