A long time ago, we had a two year flirtation with life way, way outside the
Atlanta perimeter in the northern suburbs. The route from Chattanooga to our house was an elaborate blend of I-75, I-285, and Georgia 400, plus eight
miles. So on William's first Thanksgiving, Don drove up to Tennessee
to collect my parents for the holiday. We had a wonderful two
day visit, but Margaret and Emery were elated when the time came for them to
head home. As the car reversed out of our North Fulton County driveway, my mother reached into her purse for her house keys
and clutched them for the entire 2 ½ hour journey back to her favorite place on earth.
~~~~~
On the other hand, each
and every time I visited Chattanooga over the course of 20+ years,
the ending was always the same—shot like a cannon right back down
I-75, home to good old Atlanta. I did love seeing and spending
time with my parents, it's just that I could never work out how and
why anyone would ever want to live in that corner of
Tennessee while such excitement was available down the road in the beckoning Georgia capitol. And my thought while in Chattanooga was ever the
same:
“Living here must be so dreary”
Atlanta
was home--full of friends, energy, sophistication, and Delta—all of
which I adore with my whole heart. Riding around our neighborhood
every day offered up a perfectly perfect architectural showcase with matching landscaping. We had lovely friends from church, school
and sports, great neighbors, as well as a glorious array of Publix, Target, and Chick-fil-a options within five miles of home. (Lest it should
rain, several feature covered parking). Without a doubt, it was a
wonderful ATL life.
~~~~~
But
a wonderful life can and does serve up extraordinary change, and it was
only after both Margaret and Emery were long gone did we move to
their most beloved city. I do remember exactly where I was for the
Damascus Road moment when I considered for the first time ever that the
city where I had enduring zero interest in living might offer the
best opportunity for us to thrive in changing times. My parents
would have been beyond ecstatic, and no one was more surprised than I
was to land in Tennessee.
Perpetually
missing ATL life and loved ones has been just part of the deal, but
it is balanced with a Tennessee existence that continues in
meaningfulness. We have a home we love in a beautiful little town, and I find myself surrounded by lovely friends, neighbors, and work colleagues. Chattanooga gave William and Annabelle quality teen years that profoundly shaped their moving onwards into college and the world beyond. And
now they have both found that affinity for big-city vibrancy, just as I did. But the road to there runs right through here.
I can reflect on a decade where almost every day has been filled with bountiful learning in what I have found to be a beautiful, peaceful and decidedly far-from-dreary place. I am thankful for it all, most particularly for everyone we love--here, there, and everywhere. I wouldn't change anything.
