Well folks the move is over. The last box has been packed and unpacked and the house in Jasper is empty. The last day to work at an amazing place has come and gone. The last hug given and received. There will always be days like this in our life. Some things will end, and others begin.

I came to Jasper following a dream of a happy life. I had expectations of what a family should look like and I wanted that more than anything. The thing that I found wasn’t found on Whitehouse Road in a small apartment off of the Sherer’s back porch. It wasn’t found at Colonial Bank where I was employed for 1 week. It wasn’t found on 11th Avenue where we lived and Amber skated around in Batman skates and a flowered skirt she wore every day. It wasn’t found at Boldo Baptist, although the people there welcomed me and treated me as their own. I was discipled by their members and I grew as a Christian. It also wasn’t found at Dr Boshell’s office as I fell in love with Dentistry and attended Hygiene school. It wasn’t found as I heard the news I’d be a mother again, to another sweet girl.

It wasn’t found in Carbon Hill at the Dr Aswell’s office where I learned so very much from an amazing doctor. It wasn’t found at the First Baptist church who loved on me when I most needed it.

It wasn’t found when the tech saw that little “funny bone” on the ultrasound that we had prayed for. Our little boy was finally on the way!

It wasn’t found back in Jasper as I ventured into a new opportunity at the Dental Arts building, beginning a 17 year long career with Dr Jennings, one of the kindest, most humble doctors I’ve ever known. I flourished as his hygienist and assistant and he gave me the confidence to become all I could in the job. It wasn’t found down a long road at a friendly little church in Parrish, where I learned to serve. It wasn’t found at a much bigger church, but just as friendly in Jasper where I learned acceptance and support.

It wasn’t found in Winston county where I learned about forgiveness and consequences and the love of a church, whose people give all. It wasn’t found on 7th Avenue where I learned independence and peace and the generosity of the ones that were there when I needed them.

And I will venture to say… it won’t be found in South Alabama.

I feel like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz when I say, the thing that I searched for…well, it was in me all along. That happiness and feeling of security and need to feel loved and accepted and cherished. All of those things became a part of me when I accepted and believed in Jesus. Only I didn’t know how to feel those things. So God set me out on a journey to figure it out. The journey has not been easy. The road hard and at times unbearable. But He was beside me to give me that strength I thought I didn’t have to get back up… to carry on.

No I won’t find it in a place. I found it in His people. All those that were with me on the journey. Each place I have been gave me friendships I hold dear to my heart. Some I never talk to but I know would drop everything if I needed them. Each place gave me ladies that invested their time into me teaching me what God says makes a good wife and mother.

Each place gave me mentors, confidantes, advisors, teachers and investors.

Each place taught me all that God wanted me to learn. I have no regrets in that fateful move to Jasper Alabama in 1994. Because if not for that move I wouldn’t know all of you. And things that I am taking with me… which include my children’s life mates and three grandchildren and a granddog ….are priceless.

I say goodbye with a heavy heart, not because it is sad but because it is so full of love for the ones that have been a part of my journey. Thank you for your part. I found what I was looking for.