Yesterday, I went to lunch with my cousin/friend Shann. She arrived at the house and waited in the car. Bounding out the door, I greeted her and stepped to her open window.
We exchanged compliments, each finding something worth a shout-out, the norm between us two. Then she followed hers up with an "I'm so glad you're back here, and that you're my friend!"
To which I heartily agreed, "And I return the cinnamon."
Giggling, I corrected. "Sentiment, I mean. I return the sentiment."
On the way to Phat Phil's (me in front, Shann following), I felt an enormous surge of love and connection. It was a perfect spring day in Northwest Georgia, sunny and warm, but not too hot. A perfect, low-humidity day.
We drove down North Avenue, past the site of the old hospital, now a parking lot for the new, past Junior Food Store, and through the 'projects' where family-friends had lived. With pride I noted it is still as well-kept as it was back then.
On Old Town Road through Fullerville, past Shelia Saul's mama's house and the baseball park. I spent countless hours in both places as a girl - hanging out, sleeping over, inventing foods in the kitchen. In my mind's eye I see little usses jumping the ditch playing follow-the-leader. My mouth waters remembering green plums plucked from the tree.
By the time I made the outskirts of Villa Rica, I was bursting with it. It welled up inside, the "detached-me" experiencing awe and wonder, as those feelings tumbled out in a shouted, "I LOVE YOU, VILLA RICA!!!!"
What has changed? Everything. And yet nothing.
Only me. Well, not so much me, as my mind. My mind has changed. I now see a place of beauty, love and community. I see a place where I belong, a place I want to belong. That is what has changed.
So. Villa Rica. Thank you for giving me a beautiful life, both then and now. I am home.
And this time, I can return the cinnamon.
~ Olivia J. Herrell
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| Morning Sun Through Villa Rica Pines |
To which I heartily agreed, "And I return the cinnamon."
Giggling, I corrected. "Sentiment, I mean. I return the sentiment."
On the way to Phat Phil's (me in front, Shann following), I felt an enormous surge of love and connection. It was a perfect spring day in Northwest Georgia, sunny and warm, but not too hot. A perfect, low-humidity day.
 |
| Villa Rica Main Street at Sunset |
We drove down North Avenue, past the site of the old hospital, now a parking lot for the new, past Junior Food Store, and through the 'projects' where family-friends had lived. With pride I noted it is still as well-kept as it was back then.
 |
| The Old VR Movie Theater, Now Cinema Tavern |
By the time I made the outskirts of Villa Rica, I was bursting with it. It welled up inside, the "detached-me" experiencing awe and wonder, as those feelings tumbled out in a shouted, "I LOVE YOU, VILLA RICA!!!!"
What has changed? Everything. And yet nothing.
 |
| Bugsy, At Home in Villa Rica |
So. Villa Rica. Thank you for giving me a beautiful life, both then and now. I am home.
And this time, I can return the cinnamon.
~ Olivia J. Herrell
