Home is Where?

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?

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What does “Home” mean to you?

It was late in my life when I realized I was looking for that special place to live. I wondered what it would be like. Never thought it could actually be a place that would make me feel “at home” until I found it.

A few years ago, someone I knew only briefly and once when he hugged me…a long warm, holding me in his arms hug. There was something I never felt before, at home in his arms. Didn’t know then it was a hint of something to come…no not him, but something more.

I lived in Michigan, Florida, Ireland, Georgia, California, and back to Georgia. It’s a long story. Just know that I have never felt at home in either place.

A few years ago I decided to check out a city two hours from where I currently live as a possible place to get away now and then. The first day I went there to its downtown area, with a river running through it under the Main Street bridge, the beautiful river walk, a waterfall, and a park. The downtown has wonderful art studios and galleries, shops and restaurants. I had a great day there, and was amazed at how friendly the people were.
I knew that it was a good place to make get away day trips.

With each trip I took lots of photographs and told friends here in Georgia about my experiences…because they asked and wanted details. They asked if I would take them on one of my day trips.
I also heard the place had art festivals downtown, and decided to have a weekend trip about 3 months after I first started going there. I invited a friend to join me, as she had gone with me on a day trip and really liked it.
Each person I took on a day trip loved the place, and also experienced the same friendliness of the people.

Such a great place to have a break from routine, to get away, and an easy two hour drive. So, fairly frequently I would take a day trip, and weekend stays for each of the three special festivals of the year. As time went on I began to sense a peace wash over me as I got nearer. While there I would feel energized, motivated, inspired and a sense of endless possibilities for me. Every single time there someone would always stop start a conversation with me. Coffee from Starbucks and sitting at the café tables outside on Main Street near the bridge always made opportunities for more conversations with others. The next significant change in me was that each time I had to leave there and return here I would feel yukky (yes this is the only way I can describe that feeling) inside.

The biggest event was the day I was there, standing on the Main Street bridge looking over at the river when I realized this place was HOME.

I had been reading about this city and different things going on, I had started making friends, and then got involved in the TEDx events where I connected with a lot more people.

I have known for a long time now that it is truly where I belong. The reason Greenville, SC feels like HOME to me is that not only have I embraced the city and the people, but the people and the city have embraced me.
One of these days I will live in that special place for me; that I will call HOME for the rest of my life. Thank you, Greenville and all of your people who have embraced me and continue encouraging me to get there.

My Greenville…a few favorite photos taken by me at different times.

A Favorite View of the Reedy River and Falls (photo by Ann Marquette)

Favorite Resting Spot by the Reedy River (photo by Ann Marquette)

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Gratitude, Attitude, and Joy … February 21, 2012

It has been awhile… 🙂

Much has been going on, including family house sold and closed last week…yippee!  Another chapter of life closed, and I am ready for a new one.

The best part of last week was spending some good quality time with my brother, who I love very much.  On Friday we took a trip to Rockford, MI to see a cousin who mother cared about and wanted her to have a little something from her Trust.  We took her to lunch and presented her with the surprise.  That was fun for me and my brother.

After spending a little time walking around the quaint shops with our cousin, in the snow, we headed back in order to stop about half way to meet up with other cousins and one remaining aunt (92 years old) at a restaurant for dinner.  On the way there the snow had made the ground (not highway) and trees look like a winter wonderland.  On both sides of the highway it was mostly farmland with open land in between tree lines.  We happened to look to the right and experienced an amazing site…a herd of deer running from one tree line to the next; about 25-30 deer.  And immediately following was another herd; at least 50 in all.  It was a beautiful sight.

We…me and my brother, are so grateful for the sale of mother’s house, the good time spent together, and chance to see a few of our relatives.  Certainly joy to our hearts.

But…I really miss him.   I wish we didn’t live so far apart.

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What does “Home” mean to you?

This was yesterday’s Word Press topic.

It was late in my life when I realized I was looking for that special place to live. I wondered what it would be like. Never thought it could actually be a place that would make me feel “at home” until I found it.

A few years ago, someone I knew only briefly and once when he hugged me…a long warm, holding me in his arms hug. There was something I never felt before, at home in his arms. Didn’t know then it was a hint of something to come…no not him, but something more.

I lived in Michigan, Florida, Ireland, Georgia, California, and back to Georgia. It’s a long story. Just know that I have never felt at home in either place.

A few years ago I decided to check out a city two hours from where I currently live as a possible place to get away now and then. The first day I went there to its downtown area, with a river running through it under the Main Street bridge, the beautiful river walk, a waterfall, and a park. The downtown has wonderful art studios and galleries, shops and restaurants. I had a great day there, and was amazed at how friendly the people were.
I knew that it was a good place to make get away day trips 

With each trip I took lots of photographs and told friends here in Georgia about my experiences…because they asked and wanted details. They asked if I would take them on one of my day trips.
I also heard the place had art festivals downtown, and decided to have a weekend trip about 3 months after I first started going there. I invited a friend to join me, as she had gone with me on a day trip and really liked it.
Each person I took on a day trip loved the place, and also experienced the same friendliness of the people.

Such a great place to have a break from routine, to get away, and an easy two hour drive. So, fairly frequently I would take a day trip, and weekend stays for each of the three special festivals of the year. As time went on I began to sense a peace wash over me as I got nearer. While there I would feel energized, motivated, inspired and a sense of endless possibilities for me. Every single time there someone would always stop start a conversation with me. Coffee from Starbucks and sitting at the café tables outside on Main Street near the bridge always made opportunities for more conversations with others. The next significant change in me was that each time I had to leave there and return here I would feel yukky (yes this is the only way I can describe that feeling) inside.

The biggest event was the day I was there, standing on the Main Street bridge looking over at the river when I realized this place was HOME.

I had been reading about this city and different things going on, I had started making friends, and then got involved in the TEDx events where I connected with a lot more people.

I have known for a long time now that it is truly where I belong. The reason Greenville, SC feels like HOME to me is that not only have I embraced the city and the people, but the people and the city have embraced me.
One of these days I will live in that special place for me; that I will call HOME for the rest of my life. Thank you, Greenville and all of your people who have embraced me and continue encouraging me to get there.

My Greenville…a few favorite photos taken by me at different times.

A Favorite View of the Reedy River and Falls (photo by Ann Marquette)

 

Favorite Resting Spot by the Reedy River (photo by Ann Marquette)

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Snow

Snow Today

The snowfall began last night, heavily, leaving about 2 inches in the first hour. It was beautiful and gave me a feeling of Peace.

This morning I woke to 5 – 6 inches of snow. It was lovely. The city is under a state of emergency and the citizens requested to stay home because of the bad roads. Then a misty rain/sleet fell creating a crusty top to the snow.

A relaxing day, although I did clean the crusty snow off my car and shoveled the path to the house as did some of my other neighbors. Of course, that changed the look of the clean white snow to junky snow piles. Reminds me of my early life in Michigan. This afternoon some of us took walks through the crunchy white snow. Good to get a walk outside in the fresh air.

Fun to keep in touch with others through Facebook and up-to-date on snow in other areas. I enjoy seeing photos of the snow others are sharing, and reading stories of fun play times in the snow. Ah, snow, let it snow.

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