nostalgia Definition nos·tal·gia (na stal?j?, no-)
noun


a longing to go back to one's home, home town, or homeland; homesickness
a longing for something far away or long ago or for former happy circumstances
Source: OED

Note that etymology refers to first usage. Word use expands over time as Latinate roots enter languages and gains new meaning.

Nona was right, you can be nostalgic for the time long ago