I'm currently listening to James Taylor "Carolina In My Mind." While this song has meant more to me since leaving the Carolina's officially the past summer, it has much sentimental value.
Trip down memory lane: My junior year in high school my friends Sharon and Rasesh were all studying and doing homework at my little apartment. We had a fun time multitasking with Ultimate Frisbee of course, so after that time we came back inside and started working. The phone rings. Caller I.D. O boy, it's my crazy New York Uncle calling. Probably best if I let it go to the answering machine. These were the days where my family still had a house phone and answering machine where you can hear the other person leaving a message...basically scanning the calls at its finest.
So not knowing what would happen next, I just let the phone ring and hope that he would hang up. Well my Uncle never does that. So next thing you know we hear this terribly hilarious New York accent without any introduction begin to sing, "innn mmmyyy minnnddd I'm goiiiinnnggg to Carolllinnna." He proceeded to sing for us on the answering machine for what felt like forever. But a good forever because Rasesh, Sharon, and I just looked at each other and busted out laughing. Naturally, he didn't say anything. No introduction, no closing "Call me back." He just sang.
I explained after the laughter that's just the way my Uncle is and luckily we could appreciate his humor that night.
Speaking of my Uncle, later down the road when I was on the radio last semester he would call multiple times to the station and ask for me...or talk to my friends on the other line...they didn't know what was going on and literally had a "look." They handed me the phone and through the New York mumbling somehow made it out, "Pico, I think the phone is for you." He eventually stopped calling. Hilarious moments.
All that to say, I am no longer going to Carolina in my mind. I hit the road, Lord willing, this Wednesday to go see the Carolina blue skies and be reunited with friends. I haven't been "home" since June and I am very much so anticipating it.
But at the end of the day, God has been teaching me so much since leaving. Sometimes picking up roots and leaving the town and people I so dearly love can rock your world and give you so much fresh perspective on life. While the process has not always been fun, the Lord has been faithful...and the best part is I can always go back to Carolina.
I'm expecting it to be a good trip of reconnecting, lots of laughter, helping two friends prepare for their summer wedding. But at the same time, I know God might have other plans. I want to be used by Him this trip. My prayer is that He will teach me and use me in ways I can never imagine. I also pray that this trip will be an energizing and refreshing time. As always, He is directing my steps. For whatever this little trip has in store for me, I couldn't be more excited right now. I was hit hard with homesickness in random sprouts throughout that past month at Liberty, but now that I'm in NOVA and I'm content here...it's been good to be with family! So for now, I'm going to Carolina in my mind. But come Wednesday...i've gone to Carolina.
Dark and silent late last night
I think I might have heard the highway calling
Geese in flight and dogs that bite
Signs that might be omens say I'm going, going
I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind
-James Taylor
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