A Long Time Coming

As I've mentioned before, with the exception of a brief period in my early childhood, I have never lived in the same town or even the same state as any of my relatives.  I know I have missed out on so much!  It has always been a dream of mine to live near family, specifically my GanGan & Papaw.  We have worked on them for years, trying to talk them into moving closer to us.  But moving closer to us would mean leaving the only town they've ever lived in (except for a brief time in NYC when my Papaw was in the Army), the house they built 50+ years ago, the church where they raised their children, a huge family that still gets together at least once a month for birthday meals, my Papaw's old man's club that meets every morning for coffee at McDonalds, my GanGan's card-playing group & friends that they have truly had their entire lives.  It's been a long time coming, but somehow we convinced them to pack up & move South.  I can't imagine what they've left behind...a lifetime of memories & relationships.

Papaw & GanGan~ I could hardly type this without tears in my eyes.  I know you've left so much behind...more than I could ever imagine. We are so excited to have y'all nearby!  It's an answer to my prayers to have you here & I rejoice with you that only God could have worked everything out so perfectly to get you here.  I'm looking forward to making lots of new memories with you both!  Love you both more than you know!