Wednesday, June 6, 2012

A Field of Daisies




 Thirty-nine years ago my husband and I decided to escape the ever-expanding suburbs that were wiping out the old Florida where we’d grown up. We ran away in search of a new home.

On a day in early June, we found ourselves sitting in a mountain pasture, watching the daisies stirring in the breeze and listening to the hollow sound of a pileated woodpecker hammering on a tree. The sky was Carolina blue and all we could see in the distance were mountains, green with trees and the occasional pasture. Except for an old cabin behind us and two tobacco barns just below the field, not another building was in sight. Breathing in that sweet mountain air, we decided we were home.
 
It was the beauty of the place that bewitched us – those rolling ranks of mountain ranges in hazy blues and purples, the lush early-summer greens of the poplars and locusts, maples and walnuts, the orange day lilies crowding the banks of the creeks and branches, the blue of chicory that reflected the sky, the white of the lovely Queen Anne’s Lace . . . the beauty that seemed to be everywhere we turned.  We fell in love with the scenery, took a leap of faith, and bought the sixty acres with the barns, the cabin, and the field of daisies  . . . and then, as we spent the summer camping out in one of the barns, we fell in love with the people and a whole new way of life.

 
Thirty-nine years later  and we've never regretted that leap of faith. And every time the daisies bloom, I remember that magical day . . . sitting in the field of daisies and deciding we were home. 
 
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17 comments:

Ms. A said...

Beautiful story.

We wanted to move to those mountains when our kids were young, but the job opportunities for hubby were extremely limited, so we stuck here. I've often wondered what the differences would have been, if we had been able to move.

Martin said...

It takes a lot of courage to follow your heart. But you both tuned out the static and went for it. I admire that.

Merisi said...

I could not find any better words than Martin.
Your story fills my heart with warmth and I am grateful you are sharing it with us.
Affectionately,
Merisi

jennyfreckles said...

It must have been a real leap of faith but you do always sound so contented there (and who wouldn't be, it's a beautiful homestead). Follow your dreams.

Brian Miller said...

very cool....through all your pictures every day i can understand that beauty a bit...and the daisies are def some of the glitter...smiles.

Pat in east TN said...

What a sweet story and wonderful memory to have!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

And we are so glad you did.
Sam

Vicki Lane said...

Thanks. folks! I'm heading off now for several days of a reunion with old (!) friends from high school. I don't know if I'll have Internet but will be back Sunday for sure. Don't let Martin get out of hand while I'm away.

Vicki Lane said...

Thanks. folks! I'm heading off now for several days of a reunion with old (!) friends from high school. I don't know if I'll have Internet but will be back Sunday for sure. Don't let Martin get out of hand while I'm away.

Wayfarin' Stranger said...

Some are put down where they're meant to be; the rest of us have to go find it. It is a gift when we do!

Frances said...

Thank you, Vicki, for letting us know about that leap of faith. I find your experience quite inspiring, as I also wonder about staying in one place.

Have fun at that reunion! xo

BB said...

Fantastic story. I can appreciate it in so many ways!!

Kath said...

Thank you for sharing your leap of faith, your brave journey following your heart to your Home!

JJM said...

Some people do take the road not taken ... and oh, the difference! Thank you for sharing.--Mario

Barbara Rogers said...

What a lovely expression of your second roots...which obviously have pleased you and fed you for all this time as your writings demonstrate. Enjoy your weekend, and I'm looking forward to hearing more of these lovely vignettes of your life. Thank you.

Christine said...

Love the field of daisies! Hubby and I hope we can escape from Florida one of these days even if it's only part-time. I'm tired of flat, sandy ground and pine trees; and those confounded sand spurs!!!!

Darla said...

So beautiful a story that you gave me goosebumps... Bravo for your courage in partnership to create a new life and immerse yourselves in a new home. A beautiful testimony to the marriage of faith and work.