Leaving the South

Sunday, July 12, 2009

It’s early Sunday morning. . .somewhere between 4 and 5 a.m. Georgia time.
Monday evening we leave the south headed for the east coast. I’ve never been on the east coast so I’m excited about going; but I’m sad to be leaving the south.
I flew in July 3 for a 20 hour stay in San Antonio, Texas. I loved and enjoyed every minute of it. Being in the company of the Cushman’s is always a special treat. There was so much food and laughter and love. So much love. We were all “home”. . . there were no guests. Time was appointed for worship and prayer. And we did. We worshipped and we prayed. As the prophets in the house were led to do so, a word was given to whoever was being prayed for. I believe everyone got their need(s) met. I did. There was a defining moment for me. Yeah, that was definitely the highlight. (I’ll share more on that later)

The evening of July 5 I met up with Therman in New Orleans, Louisiana via Amtrak’s Sunset Limited. (My first train ride is another story in and of itself.) We spent the entire day (July 6) just hanging out. Me and Therman, in New Orleans, just hanging out. That was cool. The night before he promised we’d get coffee first thing in the morning at some place New Orleans was famous for. I was so ready for that. We found our way from the Parc St. Charles Hotel to our destination using the map he picked upt—or so I thought that’s how we found our way. I learned later that Therman’s method of finding his way is to walk in the direction that “feels right” making turns or back tracking as he is led to do so. Surprisingly it works!! We found the famous Café du Monde and landed right in the middle of the French Quarter and French Marketplace with just one “back track”, one “go straight” and one “right turn”! Using this method of his, he also found a corner expresso bar and café (The Envie) to hang out at while waiting for me to shop. I met him there at the end of my adventure through the French Market and we sat and talked for 3 or more hours!! We just talked and talked and laughed about any and everything. Whatever came up. There were no awkward moments. When we were quiet, we sat and enjoyed just being where we were. The rain was coming down, people were walking by having their own New Orleans experience, and we just sat soaking it all. I was in the moment. I felt it. . . I was present to it. It was serene. I’ll never forget that time together.

In the midst of all of that a student from Long Beach Poly High School quietly walked up, stood in front of me, and said, “Hi Ms. Valentine.” I had to stop and remember where I was!! Imagine that! She was with her parents, cousin, and aunt and uncle whom I had never met, and all of them went to Poly as well. And the uncle knew Herman and I think the aunt mentioned Mildred and Harold because they used to live, I believe, across from them on Delta!!! C’mon now. So there we were, a group of Poly Jackrabbits, on a street corner in New Orleans, Louisiana, celebrating our common ground and having a ball!

They left to resume their activities and Therman and I sat there a while longer before deciding we were hungry, or just needed to eat something. Again Therman led the way and we ended up at an outdoor place (I forget the name) and listened to the live jazz sounds of “Nawlin’s”. We ended the evening getting snacks for our 12+ hour train ride to Atlanta, Georgia the next day. I’ll always remember that time together.

Upon leaving New Orleans we were supposed to spend a couple of days in Birmingham, Alabama but as it turned out it just wasn’t an opportune time; so that gave us two extra days in Georgia. McDonough, Georgia. Henry County. We roomed with our niece Jaha in the house that Richard built. A tranquil oasis.

Aside from the orchestra of crickets at night it’s so quiet and peaceful. I managed to stop and just “be”. There were moments I was so present with God, the Holy Spirit, that I had to just stop and offer worship to Him. Here, at this segment of my journey, I was able to stay present to space I created for myself and DAILY remind myself of the purpose of this trip. On Monday we head for the east coast but I’m going to miss the south. I am cleansed and restored and revitalized because of my time spent in the south. It was a memorable beginning.