The Azalea City Is My Hometown

I come from Valdosta, Georgia, the lovely peach state, Where everyone uses a southern drawl to communicate. Valdosta is known as the “Azalea City” for its gorgeous flowers. In the spring this splendid sight has a captivating power. I’m afraid the azaleas are forgotten by the summer, When it gets so hot we are running for cover. When we have a storm, I pray the electricity doesn’t go out. In Valdosta, having the ac cranked is what it’s all about! I grew up the daughter of a Pentecostal minister. There are four siblings, including Barbara, my twin sister. We went to church faithfully three times a week, Sitting on the pew trying not to make a peep. We may have grumbled about getting so much religion, But down the road it has helped us all make decisions. My Dad has now gone for his reward in Heaven. I wish I could hear one more of his sermons God-given. In high school my twin and I were members of a championship band. We won so many contests, the Marching Cats was the best in the land. The famous band director in Valdosta was the amazing Frank Butenschon. His talent and dedication made us all winners, and we shined! My best band competition memory was as good as it gets. We won, and performed a half-time show for the Miami Dolphins and Jets. The other piccolos and I marched out for a solo in front of the crowd. That’s when they cut to commercial at home for my parents so proud! To move along, fresh out of college I married a man 15 years older. I was naïve and mesmerized, he was so much bolder. We moved to Houston, where I taught high school. Life was exciting, and being a newlywed was so cool. Several years later we moved to New Hampshire, his home state. The mountains, the snow, and especially the summers were great. We opened a business that lasted for 25 years. I was company President while we were entrepreneurs. In NH for 20 years I was a member of the Upper Valley Community Band, Playing my flute and piccolo for parades and summer concerts so grand. We also played at Faneuil Hall, Germany, Austria, and France on tour. Carole Blake, the renowned band director, put us on the map for sure! After thirty years being man and wife, our marriage hit the rocks. I moved back to Valdosta, where my family is mere blocks. In my hometown, what others think of me does not keep me up at night. I’m enjoying my freedom, and God has me in His sights. 6/20/17