Aubrey’s Place.

The past couple of weeks, I was gifted time to spend in Georgia, with my Dear Mother-in-law, and her Father- A man who has become nothing less than a Grandfather to me…

Grandpa has had some medical set backs this Summer. Where we would usually cruise the truck down the long drive, arriving to see him out on the ol’ Tractor cutting the field, or piddling around the yard working on this or that, maybe rocking in his chair on the porch, waiting to embrace us with big hugs, we found him to be altered- Struggling to regain strength in mind and body. He was the same, yet so changed…….

Spending time here is always special… this land, this house, holds so many memories made, it could write the book on a Beautiful Life. Generations coming together, long weekends and holidays- stories told, meals shared, play and laughter and embraces, kids covered in red clay, fireworks shot off, flowers planted in the garden, catching frogs and fireflies, naps on the porch, dips in the pond, runs with the dogs, sleepover parties, pickled peaches, hummingbirds, all where the crickets sing…. loss, last breaths, tears shed, a resting place for the dogs, hearts broken then mended…. Where you can always find the support and comfort that only a close family, coming together, can truly provide.

During this particular visit, I had a lot of time just being with Gpa. Just catching his gaze, holding his hand, and speaking with him.. there were some belly laughs, there were some tears. I told him how much he means to me, how HE is the HOME that makes this place Magic. There isnt a speck of dirt on this property his hands havent touched. He built this place. From the seeds in the ground, he has tended this property.. From the foundation to the roof, he hammered those nails- Even the tornado that ripped out a forest from his land wasn’t able to take the House, although it tried. It holds the same grit and resilience that runs through his veins. … and whether intentional or not, Aubrey’s everywhere. He is that cricket song, he is that moonlight, he is that creaky floorboard upstairs, he is “melatonin” we say is pumping in the air that makes you just want to curl up and nap… he is the OG sarcastic, dark (and sometimes lighthearted ;)) humor-buzzing energy- that catches us all when we need it. He is our rest and respite in our busy lives, when we just need a bit of ‘Country and Gpa.’

It’s a habit for me to always bring my camera wherever I go, though I very rarely pull it out the bag these days. Spending more silent time here, without the distractions of my own beautiful family, tapped me back in. I walked barefoot in the grass each morning, coffee in hand- watched for the bunny under the Tallow to greet me, the bees making work of Susan’s flower garden, the cows in the neighboring field with their young, mowing down dew covered clover… The sunrise, the way it hits everything, golly. It was just a sign. On the last 2 days of my visit, I felt an urge to just try and capture a bit of how I see Aubrey’s Place- well, how it feels today. A bit quieter, a bit slower, a bit more intentional. But just as beautiful as always…

I will never love another place like I love this one. Thank You Grandpa for being who you are to me, my kids, and especially my Husband… and thank you for always welcoming us, giving us roots in rough, deep earth where we have only known sand, and for all of the Love you tend to never run short of… I adore you.- xoxo

G-Pa. Bit of Time spent in Georgia...