Last year my mom decided it was time to leave the rat race and go for her dream of living in the country. While I was happy for her, I was sad because it was the first time my mom had ever left me. Sure, I have moved all over the East coast, from Florida to Maine, but I have always left her. Never the other way around.
In spite of wanting to visit her in the first year of her living there I could not. I was pregnant, taking care of a baby and just didn't see how I could achieve such a feat. But with the birth of my Juliet and the changing of the year I was not about to let any more time go by without visiting my mother's new home.
We decided that Easter would be the perfect time to go and we could celebrate Haddie's birthday there as well. So last week we packed up the "Fresh Beat Van" and took off to Tennessee! Yeehaw!
We left Thursday evening after my husband got off of work. Unfortunately, we couldn't just set our course straight for the farm. We had to go out of our way to pick up my stepson. And on top of adding that time to our trip they were an hour late due to traffic.
We didn't get to my mom's house until 4:30 AM but we made it... 10 year old, almost 2 year old and 5 month old, whew!
We got up and my mom, lovingly known as Bubba, made breakfast. Then we headed down to the pasture to meet and feed the horses, Otis and Bella, and the chickens.
Afterwards we roamed the land and played outside. It was so nice to be in the fresh air, hear the birds and the stream. It was so peaceful I wanted to cry. I felt like that was where I belonged.
Everyone got up and the animals got fed. Then we all piled into the van and headed to Tractor Supply for their monthly animal swap. The kids had a great time seeing all the chicks, chickens, goats, roosters and rabbits. I had a little culture shock moment watching this guy pick his banjo on the tailgate of his truck. He sat next to his pen of goats, just as happy as you please.
After seeing all the animals we went to the "famous" Randall's where Louise served up a hearty breakfast. The best part was the grits. The were perfect.
That means they tasted just like Grandpa's!
When we got back to the farm we spent more time outside. I enjoyed sitting on the porch with my mom and the baby watching everyone fly kites. It was very much like when I was little and it felt right.
Day 3 Easter Sunday
I got up early to go see what the horses, Otis and Bella, were doing.
Day 4
We were back on the road. We made good time and the little ones did very well. We got to see all the beautiful country we missed on the way there. Driving in the daytime was much prettier!
A great vacation was had by all.
Hope was restored that the ways and feelings of my childhood could be again.
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| The cow says, "MOOOOOOO!" |
Well written and a piece of pure non- fiction. Truly it was a good time had by all
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