Country Girl at Heart

I had the fabulous opportunity of being able to spend a few days with my grandparents earlier this week.  My grandparents are well into their 80's and are doing really well.  They both have great knowledge and can take care of their main needs. 

My grandparents live in a small town in Northeastern Kansas...about 30 minutes outside of Lawrence, KS...Go Jayhawks!  Every time I go visit them, I am reminded of how much I love the country.  I love the sweet smell of wheat, and the rich smell of dirt and trees.  I love looking out the front windows and not seeing anything except land, flowers, trees, and the occasional car.  No houses, no loud trucks flying down the street at 2:00 in the morning.  Just God's creation right there for everyone to see.  I love sitting in my grandparent's living room before the crack of dawn and being able to look out and actually see the horizon as the shades of periwinkle, peach, and magenta begin to form with the rise of the sun.  I love looking out the back door and seeing four deer right off the deck searching for food and chasing each other. 

Every time I go to visit my grandparents my heart starts thinking about horseback riding, and walks through the wheat, gathering chicken eggs, and feeding every stray animal that is dumped off the highway.  My heart starts beating faster as I arrive at my destination only partly because I love my grandparents.  The other part is because I can't wait the peace I feel in the country.  The minute I arrive I take a deep breath and my muscles relax.  The minute I sit on a horse I feel empowered.

The country is like a drug for me.  It is my tranquilizer.  This time I was almost bittersweet.  I have realized that my grandparents have lived a very extensive life which is bound to end someday.  I sat by the backdoor on Monday morning watching deer root around for food in the majestically snow covered ground with my son and I realized that when my grandparents no longer live there, my long time, favorite peaceful escape will disappear.  With tears forming in the corners of my eyes I held my son closely and was thankful that he was able to experience as much of this peace as he has and prayed that my grandparents might live 20 more years so that my husband and I can by their house from them while my children attend KU (or whatever ivy league school they get accepted to.)  I would have to get a horse though!