GOODBYES

In a few short days, we will be leaving Georgia to move back home. We are very excited about the move, one we've had in mind for 4 years. It's an emotional time, however, thinking about all that we will miss. I have been modifying this list of goodbyes for the last few weeks, thinking of things we will miss and things we won't miss. I'm sure many of you know the Indigo Girls' song Southland in the Springtime. I have had the verse about Georgia running through my head the last few days. It goes like this:

Georgia nights are softer than a whisper.
Beneath the quilt somebody's mother made by hand.
With the farmland like a tapestry, passed down through generations
And the peach trees stitched across the land.

There'll be cider up near Helen off the roadside.
And warm peanuts in a bag to warm your fingers.
And the smoke from the chimneys meets its maker in the sky
In a song winter wrote, whose melody lingers.

And there's something about the southland in the springtime
Where the waters flow with confidence and reason. . .

(if you'd like to listen to this lovely song, go here, scroll down to Southland in the Springtime, and click the play button)

Not only are we saying goodbye to Georgia and all it has held for us these last few years, but we are also saying goodbye to this blog. I know I don't have to end it when we move, but I started it when we moved here, and it just seems right to do so.

Goodbye, Georgia.
Goodbye early springs and late falls.
Goodbye long, hot summers.
Goodbye one-day drives to mountains or the ocean.
Goodbye spending much of our time in the car.
Goodbye suburbia.
Goodbye Willy's.
Goodbye Atlanta Mennonite Fellowship.
Goodbye long drives to see family.
Goodbye road-side stands with peaches and pecans.
Goodbye Life friends, all of you.
Goodbye Skyla, August, Jude, Jen, Les, Sara, Tim, Eryn, Ely, Finn, Paul, Andrea, Rick, Renata, Lily, Faith, Navya, and all the others.
Goodbye dear Debbie, who has taken such tender care of both my body and soul, and easily won the love of my children.
Goodbye Zoo Atlanta, Georgia Aquarium, and Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
Goodbye "building castles" in the city.
Goodbye no sidewalks to ride bikes on.
Goodbye big spacious yard.
Goodbye big spacious house.
Goodbye big energy bill.
Goodbye Chattahoochee Nature Center.
Goodbye Mountain View Library.
Goodbye Chattahoochee River.
Goodbye studies, stealing the time of our husband and Daddy.
Goodbye daily birdsongs.
Goodbye pollen showers.
Goodbye ants who stay and stay and stay.
Goodbye gigantic leaping/flying cockroaches!
Goodbye neighbors we have talked to a few times.
Goodbye gas-powered mower.
Goodbye Dr. Robert, Dr. Shawn, Dr. Karen. Our great chirporactors!
Goodbye bluegrass night on Red Top Mountain.
Goodbye hike-swim combo at Red Top too.
Goodbye Harry's salad bar.
Goodbye bedroom that holds the birthing energy of Quinn.
Goodbye blog readers all over the world.
Goodbye Red Clay Wings.