Darius and I just returned from a week-long trip to visit my 89 year old Grandmother in Arkansas. Going there was total culture shock for me and complete bliss for Darius. My Grandmother lives in what would be considered a big city by Arkansas standards but a rural town by California standards. When the average person's home comes with acres of land, you know you aren't in a big city. Here where we live in the Bay Area, any lot over 6000 square feet is considered big.
Before Darius was born, my Grandmother moved out of the house that her husband had built with his own hands and into a small cottage built just for her on her daughter's property. My Grandmother had lived alone since my Grandfather died in 1989. I know it was hard for her to give up her independence. She no longer drives and is reliant on my Aunt to drive her to the store. I can't imagine how hard it must be to have to ask someone to take you to Walmart to buy eggs.
My Aunt lives in a posh gated community up on a hill. The satellite TV and internet are spotty (it worked only 1 day that we were there), but the home and its surrounding eight acres of land are gorgeous. While I practically started having seizures from the stress of not having internet, Darius was thrilled to have land to explore, bugs to catch, and adventures lurking behind every tree. He was in seventh heaven.
And surprisingly only has two mosquito bites to show for it. Those country bugs wanted nothing to do with his suburban blood.
I told my father before we left California that this would be my last trip to Arkansas while my Grandmother is alive. Arkansas had lost its magic for me for so many years. When I booked the trip, I did so out of obligation to my Grandmother and to please my father. By the time we left, I had already committed to coming back in a couple of years. I didn't commit because of guilt or obligation. Seeing Darius love the country life, the wide open spaces, the slower pace brought back so many wonderful childhood memories for me.
I am so glad that Darius got to experience the magic of the South. He's too young to understand the difference in politics, values, or any of that. In a city that looks and acts like it is 25 years behind the progressiveness of our California city, Darius reminded me of what is good in the world.
And that something as simple as homemade Sweet Tea can bring people together like nothing else could.
