A Kentuckian Strolls Through Georgia

"You're going to luuuuve it when you come visit down here, Mom!"

A true enough statement, but when it fell on my ears for the hundreth time in the last year, all I could think about the gaw-geous state of Georgia is that it keeps taking the people I love the most so far away from me. First, my parents, for twelve years lived in Norcross, retiring back to Kentucky only to pass away a short three years later. Presently, my oldest daughter, her husband, and my only grandchild reside even further south. The middle child has already lived down there for a couple of months this past summer, and is constantly talking about moving there still. The baby has visited them a few times, and already has her sights set on a big move as well.

It's my own fault that I didn't see it coming. After all, didn't I raise them to be independent, different from the people they grew up around, encourage them to spread their wings? I just didn't think they would fly so far.

My pot of anger against this state simmered on a low boil the entire ten hour ride. I arrived with unimaginable happiness in my heart at seeing my loved ones for the first time in a year, and vowed to keep a smile on my face when the inevitable "Don't you just luuuve it" and "Isn't it just beautiful down here" followed each and every point of interest made by my daughters. Each time they directed my attention to yet another breathtaking view, another moss-dripping, ancient Georgian pine, countless aged and beautiful plantation-style mansion, my brain was waging a derrogatory battle of comparison with all things beautiful in Kentucky.

I know from whence my anger comes, and I am working on it. After a few days, I have taken the pot off the flame, and am seeing Georgia in the light it is meant to be seen.

I am letting in the wisdom from the old, old pines.
I am embracing the contrasting landscape, making peace with the sand, marshes, and even the occasional alligator.
I am seeing the landmarks with open, unshaded eyes, soaking in their history.
Seeing that guy that looked and sounded like Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow at the Pirate House Restaurant in Savannah didn't hurt, either.

I am so happy to be here, and yes, I do luuuuve it!