Skip to main content

A Better Place

The hydrangea bush that Ms. Rochelle (my neighbor in Byhalia) bought for me is dead.

The people who bought our old home are not able to keep up the demanding yard. It was so sad to drive up in her driveway, look over at my old yard and see my beautifully manicured flowerbeds over grown with grass and weeds. All my bushes and tress were dead or dying. Randall was quick to remind me that those were not my flowers, bushes or trees and to "get over it"! He was/is right. (Men....I need not say more.)

After a WONDERFUL visit to the "hell-yeah" (as we affectionately call our old home place) to visit our sweet neighbors and surrogate parents, I realized... we are in a better place. Though there is lack of history with most people here (with the exception of the White's) and lack of familiarity and friendly faces, I trust it will all change with time. The possibilities of a nice life here are plenty.

I left Fort Smith in 2001 for an internship at ALSAC/ St. Jude, and never returned to live in the at home again. As much as I LOVE the Fort, I don't look back with regret. I love the places God has put me and the people He has put in my path. I now understand that I am not looking back at this move with regret either. I sometimes think I was trying to, and really, there is no need to force something that is not there.

Thank you God for moving us, changing us, molding and shaping us into more well-rounded people.


Abby

Comments

Trish said…
It was good to read this. I was kind of having movers remorse...then you reminded me that it is God who moves us not ourselves. It is evident that we are meant to be where we are, but it is also easy to want to go back. I am learning that I have contentment issues, but am working through them. Thanks again!
Anonymous said…
Thank you for writing this blog. It shows me how you have grown and what a wonderful woman you have become. Sometimes growing up and moving on to new things can be hard, but you have done well my daughter.

mama
Anonymous said…
It is down right amazing that you would write such a blog because last night I was thinking along the same lines as you.
I am glad God has moved me "back home" and I know I am where he wants me. But, at the same time, I would never give anything for the 30 something years I spent at "The Fort". Couldn't think of a better place to rear you two girls and it will always be, without a doubt, the bestest place I ever lived. But, I'm back where I'm supposed to be and I know you and Jules are where God wants the two of you.
Love you both so very much.
Y.D.

Popular posts from this blog

A Blind Date & Leaving Comments

8 years ago today I met this sweet man in the picture above. We met on a blind date in the Bluff City (aka- Memfrica). He and I were simply going out to shut up his stepmother and my sister, who had decided that we were meant to be together from one simple fridge photo and a dog named Abby. Little did we know they would be able to pat themselves on the back for the rest of their lives . I am so glad we both agreed to go out for that one date on New Years Eve 2001 because I have had him in my life everyday since that crazy night at my cousin Hollye's back door when he arrived to pick me up to find a baby on my hip that he thought was mine. I remember those beautiful blue eyes and how they about popped out of his head as he stood at the door wondering why no one had mentioned my child. That baby on my hip was Claire. She was 1 then and had just gone number 2 in her diaper right before he rang the bell. She had Styrofoam all over her and me from playing in Christmas boxes. Needless t

All Aboard The Birthday Polar Express

  Can you believe Henry Patton will be 4 years old tomorrow?! Neither can we. We celebrated his birthday last weekend with his first all boy party, polar express style. I had so much fun preparing for it, as you can probably tell! My mother who is never at a loss for words said it looked like Polar Express threw up in my house. She was SO right and we loved it! We had a breakfast pajama party with 7 three and four year old boys. It was such a fun time.   I had his pajamas monogrammed with a train and his name. He loved them and I liked how they sort of looked like the ones on the movie. Henry loved all the bells I had everywhere. There is no doubt we believe at this house. We had the jingle loud and proud!   I had his invitation made from a shop on Etsy and I was very pleased with them. One of his little friends came to the door ready for me to punch his ticket. It was so cute. I ran to get a hole punch and punched it for him. Every good party has to have go

Pedicure Pledge

Just a friendly reminder, it's that time of the year again. Please raise your big toes and repeat after me: As a member of the Sandal Sisterhood, I pledge to follow The Rules when I wear sandals and other open-toe shoes: I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps. I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe. I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow. I will shave the hairs off my big toe. I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there. If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back in to place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it. No matter how much it hurts. I will