We recently went through a big move. Well, only 71 miles away from where I lived practically my whole life, but a big move to me. The whole process is big; physical, spiritual, and emotional; selling the house that I lived in a long time, getting rid of extra furniture, having a yard sale (I hate yard sales), searching for boxes (in dumpsters), wrapping, packing, and cleaning. Not to even mention, leaving family and close friends behind. And, all the questions...God, you did promise me that you would never leave or forsake me, didn't you? Well, it's been several weeks now since our move. Things are quiet and peaceful here. But, it still makes me tired when I think about it. Moving is a big deal! Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise. We moved to a very small town. Probably only one gas/mini-grocery store here. To get to our house, you go down a little dirt road, a little over a third of a mile, so it's in the middle of the woods kinda. A creek runs around the back side of our property. There isn't much to do here, the usual outdoor stuff; hunt, fish, take a walk, watch your grand kids play baseball, go to church, go to the grocery store, and lie in my hammock (of course I remembered to bring it.) It's beautiful, peaceful, country. You know how when someone loves where they live they describe it as, "God's country." Well, this definitely is. One of the most magnificent sights though is star gazing at night. There isn't any city lights to contend with so all you see is a vast, dark night sky and the most spectacular display of stars, constellations, planets and the moon. The only way I could describe it, the first night I looked up was, it took my breath away. I can see why my daddy loved it so much in this area. He didn't have a fishing camp here, but when I was younger he came to this county a lot to stay with friends in their cabin. He was a real out-doors man and it was a chance for him to get out in the woods that he so loved. He loved hunting, fishing, cooking, and eating. He was a rather hefty man and loved his fried fish and hush puppies. He could cook them as well as anyone could in this part of the country. I'm sure they had their share of campfires and told fish tales and buck stories around it about the big one that got away. They probably even played a game or two of poker. Daddy never told me that much about it but because I knew him so well, I can just imagine.
My husband and I were sitting on our front porch the first night that we lived here. It was kinda funny. But, I was rocking and the rocking chair next to me was rocking by itself. I looked over at the chair and I looked back at my husband and I said something to the effect of, "Do we have a ghost?" The boards on our front porch had not been totally secured and they were moving every time I rocked. It felt very weird. He said jokingly, "Its your daddy rocking with you." Well, that didn't have the effect on me that he expected. I started to cry. No, I started to "boohoo." He said that he was so sorry and got up to come over and console me. Not so sure why it impacted me in that way. I responded to him, "I feel so close to my daddy here." Daddy has been gone for over 10 years. I think about him a lot. A whole lot! He was a big man with big personality and love for life, so it's impossible not to see him in everything I do. I can just hear him now, "Sammie Jean, what are you doing living in those woods?" My answer is, daddy I'm not so sure. But, the truth is...I'm really loving it. I think daddy and I have a whole lot in common.
sammie jean
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