Perhaps.
But you sure can visit.
Our family leaves next Friday on a road trip to Virginia. People have been asking if I'm getting excited. Honestly, not yet. I am always excited for a road trip...going anywhere anytime, the open road, tunes, the adventure excitement unknown...the small towns, strange trees, vast bridges and lakes...my eyes and soul devour it all.
But the preparation is a lot of work, yes?
My perspective all changed yesterday afternoon though. My Onnie, our true Southern girl, was talking to her friend as I drove them to youth group and she was bubbling, glowing, bouncing a little in her seat...gushing about all we will do and eat when we get home. To Virginia.
She made our hometown sound a magical Southern land, where apple butter and fried chicken fills every kitchen table, nighttime bursts with fireflies twinkling, and the weather is always perfect, be it humid rain, sweltering heat, or gentle breeze.
Was it just the innocent and cloudless filter of childhood she was remembering through?
Perhaps.
But there was another clue in her words which pointed to the magic of home.
In every sentence out of her mouth, there were names attached- Nana, Papa Larry, PoPo, Gamgam. Papa Ron. Granny and Pa Meador, Granny Lumsden, and Grandma Hurst. Uncle Grandle and Aunt Alice. All my precious Aunts and Uncles, and Ron's too. The girls' Uncle Ben and Aunt Michelle, and first cousins Luke, Gabe, Christian, and all their other cousins too...I could go on and on.
Relationships make places and memories special, yes?
And there was more...
Laura said to Onnie, "Virginia sounds like so much fun, and with so much to do!"
Onnie paused. Replied:
"Actually we don't really do a lot. We hang out with family and eat. And play outside a lot. There are no electronics in VA- you play in the woods and take care of chickens, and pick vegetables. And you eat really good food. It's awesome!"
Yes, that's home...family and food, and playing and working together outdoors. It really is that simple most of the time. It does sound pretty awesome, doesn't it?
We are incredibly blessed with our large extended family. I am humbled by the precious lessons they've reinforced in our girls, especially the value of contentment with the simple and free pleasures in life.
I am not a huge Country music fan, but I feel this song sums up how we feel about the South, and about our hometown...the joy of simple things which bring deep contentment.
"Well it's funny how it's the little things in life that mean the most
Not where you live, the car you drive or the price tag on your clothes
There's no dollar sign on a piece of mind
this I've come to know."
Truth, yes?
Honest- I think I am pretty excited to go home now.
So, whether you are traveling this Memorial Day weekend, or staying at your home, I hope you will take a few moments to ponder the simple things in your life and be thankful for them, especially family.
Peace dear readers.
Lyrics:
You know I like my chicken fried
[Chorus:]
Cold beer on a Friday night
A pair of jeans that fit just right
And the radio up
Well I've seen the sun rise
See the love in my woman's eyes
Feel the touch of a precious child
And know a mother's love
Well I was raised up beneath the shade of a Georgia Pine
And that's home you know
Sweet tea, pecan pie, and homemade wine where the peaches grow
And my house it's not much to talk about
But it's filled with love that's grown in southern ground
And a little bit of chicken fried
[Chorus]
Well it's funny how it's the little things in life that mean the most
Not where you live, the car you drive or the price tag on your clothes
There's no dollar sign on a piece of mind
this I've come to know
So if you agree, have a drink with me
Raise you glasses for a toast
To a little bit of chicken fried
[Chorus]
I thank God for my life
And for the stars and stripes
May freedom forever fly, let it ring.
Salute the ones who died
The ones that give their lives so we don't have to sacrifice
All the things we love
Like our chicken fried
[Chorus:]
Cold beer on a Friday night
A pair of jeans that fit just right
And the radio up
Well I've seen the sun rise
See the love in my woman's eyes
Feel the touch of a precious child
And know a mother's love
Well I was raised up beneath the shade of a Georgia Pine
And that's home you know
Sweet tea, pecan pie, and homemade wine where the peaches grow
And my house it's not much to talk about
But it's filled with love that's grown in southern ground
And a little bit of chicken fried
[Chorus]
Well it's funny how it's the little things in life that mean the most
Not where you live, the car you drive or the price tag on your clothes
There's no dollar sign on a piece of mind
this I've come to know
So if you agree, have a drink with me
Raise you glasses for a toast
To a little bit of chicken fried
[Chorus]
I thank God for my life
And for the stars and stripes
May freedom forever fly, let it ring.
Salute the ones who died
The ones that give their lives so we don't have to sacrifice
All the things we love
Like our chicken fried
*Picture resourced from http://leitesculinaria.com/tag/picnics
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