As you read this today I will be away from home in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Circled on the calendar, this date is always special to me. It was just a week before I turned 19, the year was 1962........and yes, I am that old! I kissed my family goodbye, boarded a plane at London's Heathrow Airport - my first time flying - and crossed the pond to work for one year in Washington, D.C. I was not a gutsy girl who had traveled much. After the war people in England didn't have money for holidays and traveling to foreign lands. I did have a sense of adventure though. I knew I was meant to go places. I also had a serious boyfriend. My parents liked him but didn't want us to get married at such a young age, so encouraged me to spread my wings and fly away for a while.
Here it is, forty seven years later. I'm still not far from Washington but I've covered an awful lot of ground in that time. Water has run under many bridges, life has been full of ups and downs, but I never returned to England to live.
I've crossed the pond numerous times during the years. I kissed my mother, father, brother, entire family, and a hoard of much loved friends, hello and goodbye over and over again. I kept coming back to my adopted country, my very special husband, my American family and friends. I could say I have no regrets but that might be stretching the truth a bit. There are always regrets, whether one moves just a few miles down the road, or a few thousand miles across an ocean, when it means leaving home and loved ones behind.
It's said "you can't go home again". I'm inclined to say, "home is where you make it". With modern transportation it's not so difficult to drive a smooth highway for a few hours, or settle down in a seat for a night flight across the water. Your loved ones are always waiting for you.........so go while you can.
................and what about that boyfriend you ask. We are still in touch. He's still the nicest guy, and we meet up now and then when I'm home, across the pond.
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While in the mountains today I'll be meeting a very special blog friend for the first time - more on that later.
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That must have been such an adventure for a girl of only 19! I am happy you like your adopted country, but also that you can still "go home again" occasionally! Have fun in the mountains.
ReplyDeleteHi dear... that made me cry... happy tears, though. How lovely, I just wish to live as much as you to understand things better and definitely make home where I am right now. I'm just so LUCK to get to know you!! Hopefully I'll be able to tell a similar story just like yours. Thank you so much for who you are!! You're very special to me! Thanks for the lovely card... it really meant a lot to me. Love, Vanessa
ReplyDeleteI'm one of those who always had the desire to travel too. I don't know where that came from but here I am. I didn't start as early as you though.
ReplyDeleteWhat a very sweet post. I like that you said 'home is where you make it'. It's so true. But I still think you were awfully brave.
ReplyDeleteWhen my husband I were dating, he had 19 year old nanny from England here to care for the boys. She met a family friend that lived down the block from Jane & Jack (if you rememember my last post) and they wed a few years later. She never went back home either, but she visits across the pond often and I have had the pleasure of meeting her family several times when they are here visiting. What one does for love! I suppose they are giving my husband the evil eye behind his back for leading their daughter astray!!
Have fun in with your friends!! :-)
xoxo
Jane
You're right about home. It's home where you make a home to be yours, where you have your family and where you treasure your sweetest memories. And to have aplace to come back from now and then, it's nice too.
ReplyDeleteGracie at http://mylittleplace.blog.com
How wise were your parents! And how lovely you are still friends with the original chap! That is a lovely post, Mary. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story, Mary. Safe travels to you on your trek to the Blue Ridge. Bobby will be leaving on Monday for a week long artists retreat there in Little Switzerland, North Carolina. Can you believe they are calling for a chance of snow there over the weekend? Hard to believe that summer has past. Enjoy your trip. We look forward to seeing you sometime soon...upon your return home. That most special place for us all.
ReplyDeleteDorothy-
Mary,
ReplyDeleteThis was a lovely story that you shared with us today, I made my first trip to the US when I was 21 and have been back many times. Unlike you however I've never lived here. My life path for the past 28 years has taken me to Bavaria and now to France but never back to the UK.
Home is most assuredly where you make it.
I also wanted to say how beautiful your photo's are, I especially love the header. You are a very talented photographer indeed.
Wishing you a wonderful time this weekend along the Blue Ridge.
Maggie
Beautiful post. Teary-eyed at the emotions you've so eloquently brought to the surface...the soddered charm is also gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteLove your story , wonderful experience and life !!!
ReplyDeleteI am very grateful that you stayed on this side of the pond and we got to meet in person. Have a wonderful time with Penny and please give her my best.
ReplyDeleteHi to Bob and Jasmin.
Hello Mary, how lucky of me today to find your wonderful blog while doing some blog hopping.
ReplyDeleteWell, 't looks like I'm the new blog friend you re meeting today for the first time and, I truly hope, our blog friendship will go on and on.
I was speechless and moved when reading your post...but on to a lighter note I'd like to take the oportunity to say how amazing your blog is. So glad I've dropped by.
Your time permetting, I'll be delighted if you'll stop by my blog, even just for a most brief peep. You can find me at http://www.ritashabbychicrose.blogspot.com/
Leave a comment to let me know you've been there. That'll make my day!
With warmest wishes
Rita
Have a wonderful time meeting your blogging friend. I just love the charm you showed in your blog today. I am learning how to make them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nostalgic post. I grew up in NC and in my younger years I never would have thougth how far away from home I would be at times. With my husband in the military we have been far and wide, but what an adventure. Once again we are back "home" so to speak...but like you, home has always been where we were.
ReplyDeleteOh what a beautiful story, Mary! Have fun with the girls. I cannot wait to hear all about the get together!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you came to visit and stayed, Mary. You have so many friends here, too.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Susan
Mary
ReplyDeleteYou are a brave and creative soul.
I so enjoy your stories.
I can't imagine doing what you did, but you obviously did it with class and made your home here with your dear husband!
I love your stories, your visuals.... your N Carolina life you share with us. Thank you again.
Mary, thank you for sharing that story. One of the things I like most about reading blogs is when we get a peak into someones past. It gives us a reflection of who you are today. I didn't leave home at a young age, but I am thousands of miles away from my original "home." Memories, and phone calls serve me well whenever I get homesick. Meanwhile, my true home is here with my family and in my heart.
ReplyDeleteMaureen
Dear Mary, your post is full of emotion and sentiment. I can understand how leaving home would be a huge adjustment. The first time I left my family I was soooo homesick. I was in Gainesville, Fl and they were in Miami. Not so far, but it may as well have been a 'pond' I admire your strength of character to make a life here in America. I admire you as a person Mary so very much.
ReplyDeleteLove, Jeanne