Reasons....

I have been thinking over the last few weeks that I am starting to understand, partially at least, why God brought me to Mississippi. I guess it become clearer with every day. The more I understand, the easier this transition becomes.

I always knew family was the main reason I moved here but I am beginning to see that play out. It's funny. I moved here thinking things like, "I can be there for my mom." "My mom needs to have someone around." "I can help my grandparents as they are getting older." But the truth is, I need my family.

Because of this move, I get to be a part of my grandpa's last memories. See, Tepaw (that's my grandpa) isn't doing so well. Every time I see him he is a little worse (or a lot). I can't imagine being in Asheville worrying that my next visit at Christmas or Spring break would be too late and he would no longer remember me. So now I get to see him and he still remembers me. He may not remember that I am not in college anymore and he may not remember that I have moved back to Mississippi but he knows me. He even knows when I am upset and it still upsets him to see his baby granddaughter upset. That means something.

Because of this move, my mom gets to come to my classroom. She came to my school a couple weeks ago. She didn't stay long but my kids got to meet her and she got to meet all the babies I talk about. That hasn't EVER happened before. Because I am their "mama away from their mama" she became their Grammy and that's what they called her! That means something.

Because of this move, I get to have Mother/Daughter dates. Yesterday, my mom and I went to Mistletoe Marketplace with my friend Kristi and her mom. We walked around and shopped with about a million other people. We had lunch and talked. For the last eight years I have been a third wheel on Mother/Daughter dates. I am not complaining. I have several other mothers now because of it and they all took very good care of me. But nothing compares to your own mama! That means something.

So things are becoming clearer. I am starting to make friends. No, they aren't my Asheville friends, but we have fun and we laugh. And I know God will build those friendships. God blessed me pretty quickly with a friend at school because God knows what I need way better than I do. I probably would not have made it without Kristi! He knows what we need when we need it! That means something!

I am sure there are other reasons I am here. I am sure many of those reasons won't be revealed to me for a while. For now, I will just cling to the ones I know and hope God uses me here!