How many times have I heard or read “home is where the heart is” or “home is where you hang your hat” or “home is wherever you are” ~ oh my! Anyway, I left Michigan where I was born to live in the sunnier Miami, Florida. It was “ok,” but the humidity and heat so many months of the year was stifling. Just as I was thinking about moving back to Michigan near family, I met a man and we ended up getting married! Well that ended 5 years later when he was having an affair with a neighbor and said he wanted a divorce. A couple years later and after several major traumas in my life, ending with my Father’s death I moved to Ireland. I needed a major break in my life and wanted to experience living abroad. A few months after moving there, guess what, I met a man and we ended up getting married several months later. After 12 years of marriage, most of that time in and out of marriage counseling I found out he was having an affair. As there was no divorce in Ireland and 20% unemployment I moved back to the US. I chose Atlanta GA where I believed it was the right place to start back in my home country. I got the divorce from the Irish husband and lived in Georgia for 23 years, except for five months in Napa CA. In all these places I never felt AT HOME.
In 2006 after moving back to GA from CA I decided to find a place near enough for just getting away day trips. Once reading about the downtown area of Greenville, SC I decided to make a trip to check it out. It was great and so were the people. I found it to be a breath of fresh air, times of joy in my life every time I visited. Then change in me began to take place and one day I realized I had actually found HOME. The desire to move there grew, but I had a townhouse in GA to sell. I first started trying to sell in 2008 just as our economy tanked, and it continued to get worse. I finally sold it November 2013. Still lost my shirt on it, but didn’t have to take money to the table to get rid of it. So I was finally able to move to Greenville, SC.
Everything is not perfect here. Some of those who were so friendly and even suggested we would get together…never happened. I have yet to find a part time job, which I really need pretty soon (some source of supplemental income).
BUT, I am so HAPPY being in Greenville. I love it here and it is HOME to me. I have made some lovely new friends, found a great church, and becoming more involved in life here. Here is where I find my JOY.
Have you found your HOME place and your JOY?
Ann Marquette 
Wonderful! Glad you made it HOME. Your heart is never wrong for you!
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Thank you Barbara. It has been a long time since I posted on my own blog. Now I need to keep at it 🙂
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I understand Ann – I am hit or miss depending on how busy my schedule is. Good thing is – there’s no right or wrong. 🙂 Be blessed!
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True, but I sure need to keep at it more than once or twice a year 🙂 mostly just because I need to keep writing 🙂 Bless you too.
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Oh I totally understand. Maybe you could make an appointment with yourself to help you stay on schedule. Just a thought.
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True. Every time I plan to sit down and actually work on a “schedule” something comes up that has to be handled then and there…and then the day gets away from me!! BUT, I WILL happen. I am also looking for part time work as I need another source of income soon. I pray for a clear mind, focus, discipline and His guidance in all I do.
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Praying for you as well!!!
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Thank you Barbara Miller 🙂
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Ann — thank you for sharing how you came to be in Greenville, SC. I felt the same way when I spent the summer in Rockville, Maryland as an intern for the federal government. I was born and raised in Texas and it was okay, but that summer in Maryland was like magic. I was absolutely compelled to find a way to get back. I did and have lived here for the last 16 years. It feels like home and I love it. So, I have found my home.
Have I found my joy? Yes, I have. My joy is spiritual connection, connecting with God through scripture, writing, and others. The problem with me is that I find all sorts of reasons why I can’t do that. Finding your message here this morning is a reminder from the Divine that my joy is ever-present — I just have to use it.
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Hi Barbara Kass, Thanks for checking out my latest blog (first in a very long time :-)) and glad you like it.
Especially happy for you that you found HOME and your JOY. Yes we can find all kinds of excuses for not doing what brings us joy, especially if we need finances and it does do that for us 😦 Like you I love connecting with God in same ways you do, particularly through other people. My top strength via Strength Finders is Connection, which happens to be my favorite thing to do…meet with others, talk with them, especially face to face, get to know them better, and share thoughts and feelings.
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So good to have you writing again♡ wonderful post. Love the home metaphor♡
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Thanks “Keri” 🙂 So glad you liked this post.
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First let me say, I am so glad that you are still satisfied there in SC. Also, please excuse the mistake I made when I left a message for you, just today, on authors den. I referred to your new state as North Carolina(there is a Greenville, NC too)and I am sorry about that. As far as the little disappointment about the connections you thought you would have…don’t sweat it and keep up the positive moves you’ve made, especially with church. Great write!
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