I’ve been doing a bit of traveling around lately, with business trips to Atlanta and a family vacation in Washington, DC. When I was away, I felt like something was… missing. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I just knew that something was wrong, like a cloud hovering over me. I finally figured it out on the drive back from DC. The first time I topped a rise and caught a glimpse of those beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains silhouetted against the sky, the cloud was lifted and I felt a surge of emotion. I was… home.
I’m not from Asheville originally, but I’ve lived here for a long time now. I lived in several different places throughout my life, but I never really identified with any of them as my “home”. They say “Home is where the heart is”, but my heart wasn’t in any of those places. Each one was only my home in the sense that it was where I lived.
Finally, my journey brought me here to Asheville. It wasn’t an immediate thing. At first I thought it was just another place that I lived. I didn’t really know that it had changed for me until that drive back from DC. Cresting that hill and seeing that impressive vista of blue on blue mountains that Asheville natives know so well, and the tide of joy that came with it made it clear. This is where my heart is. This place is my home.
Every time I look out a window at work, I see that beautiful expanse of blue on blue, the same views you see here on our video streams. Since I got back, I see them a little differently. Now every time I look out my window, I smile a little.
7:32 AM
I also loved in Ashville with my boyfriend Eddie Haynes off & on for a number of years, Due to the fact I was from out fo state, there were immigration issues. But we tried to make it work even through the great distance and travelling back and forth. Needless to say I also agree with you. Home is where the heart is certainly rings true for me. My heart was left in Asheville and the peaceful, calming serenity of the Blue Ridge Mts., I get very homesick, and heartsick, longing for the home I loved and still do. I wish to return and live there permanently but with the immigration laws it does make it an extremely difficult and lengthy process for those of us who abide by the law and try to have the opportunity to live there and become a legalized US citizen. I envy those of you who were born with that right. You have so much beauty in your own backyard, enjoy what you have.
6:38 PM
I salute the fact that you are trying to become a citizen the legal way. I hope very much that you can get your wish and return to live in Asheville for the rest of your life. We who were born here are very fortunate indeed and people like you are very much appreciated. Just curious but where do you currently live?
1:10 PM
I can’t even believe you posted that story today. 10 years ago I drove through Asheville for the first time on my way to TN. As soon as I was graced with the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains coming over the highway and decending down into God’s Garden I was in awe! Needless to say I never made it to TN. I stayed in Asheville for 10 days and fell in love with the people, community, activities and most of all the sweet mountain air! I live in Florida and go back to Asheville monthly and it gets harder to leave every time. My heart belongs to those mountains as well, the sense of peace that consumes your body, mind and soul is sometimes overwhelming. Now I am on a house hunt to purchase a second home in the area to start my transition from Florida to Asheville, the city that sits within the palm of God’s hand… I can’t wait to become a permanent member of such a fantastic community. Cheers to your story.. I’m right there with ya!!!!
3:05 PM
11:22 AM
Your Welcome! I have traveled all around the US and over seas but I have never visited a place that has reached inside my chest and wrapped it’s arms around my heart like Asheville did from the first day. Every time I come back I know I’m leaving my heart behind…. until the next time I’m blessed with another Asheville fun filled day…
2:42 AM
The good spirit in these mountains and hills is a creeper. But it is definitely here. He that feels it knows it.