Sunday, January 16, 2011

Heads Carolina, Tails California-Repost

I was born and raised in South Carolina, and Cindy was born and raised in California, now just how in the world did these two people from opposite ends of the States ever get together you ask, fate has to be the answer the answer is simply that it was just meant to be.

Both of us ended up living in New Mexico and became friends for nearly ten years before fate came about and sent us on our first date which ended up bringing our lives together in marriage, we had both told one another after we were divorced from our first spouses that we would never marry again, you know what they say about saying never, well the Good Lord killed two birds with one stone so to say by just having us marry each other since we had said the N word to one another.

While I was still working we planned a vacation trip with the kids each summer and where to go started out as a joke after listening to Jo Dee Messina sing Heads Carolina, Tails, California so with the flip of a coin we began going to Carolina one summer and California the next, it was like this year it’s heads so off to Carolina we went and it’s tails for this year, this worked well for a good while until I retired and we began making plans whether to move or stay in New Mexico.

Let’s flip a quarter, it’s heads so the plan was to move to South Carolina, as soon as all the kids were out of the house we had tentative plans to relocate to South Carolina and we were so happy with our plans because after our move, vacation would now always be tails California.

You know what they say, If you want to make God laugh, tell him what YOUR plans are, we got the call that Cindy’s parents needed our help and our plan to move to SC turned into exactly that, we moved to SC but now SC stood for Southern California rather than South Carolina and one day soon the flip of the coin will now be heads for vacation.

♪ Heads, Carolina Tails, California.
Somewhere greener, somewhere warmer.
Up in the mountains, down by the ocean.
Where? It don't matter, as long as we're goin'
Somewhere together. I've got a quarter.
Heads, Carolina Tails, California. ♫

Where you are, really doesn’t matter as long as you are happy and you are the only one that can make yourself happy, with this said let me explain where I am coming from, some thirty something years ago I took a little road trip leaving my home state of South Carolina in my rear view mirror, I always had plans of moving back home but living life takes you directions you never planned on before, I told myself that I hated New Mexico and couldn’t wait to get out of there and back to SC, but while I was there Cindy and I found each other and have made a good life for ourselves with each other.

Cindy said that she would never move back to California and I agreed with her after a visit here and seeing how busy it was, I too said I would never live in California; living life moved us to California and the question if I am unhappy with where I am is answered simply by saying, Not at all, I am really happy here because she and I are still together and doing good, we are out in the country and God’s beauty is all around us in the view that surrounds our home, life is what you make it and if you are unhappy with your surroundings then it is up to you to find something positive about your area or make changes that will make you more comfortable.

Follow the Good Lords lead because sometimes if you follow then you will be exactly where you are supposed to be, it can be as hard as months and months or even years of discussion, prayer, and planning or as simple as a flip of a quarter:

♫ O---oh, California! Carolina! California! ♪

15 comments:

  1. Jimmy 30 years ago I too left my hometown and beloved beach shores never to return, but for visits and a brief two year stay.. I do not think I will ever return there to live, but that's okay. The memories I have are forever alive in my heart and at least I don't have to flip a coin..

    Your post made me smile and know home truly is where the heart is!!!

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  2. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this again, Jimmy!

    "You know what they say, If you want to make God laugh, tell him what YOUR plans are."

    Yup....no truer words have been spoken!

    Isn't it something how when we surrender to His plans, we find ourselves exactly where we need to be....and ultimately....VERY happy!!!

    "Where you are, really doesn’t matter as long as you are happy and you are the only one that can make yourself happy."

    You said it, buddy!

    Hope you had a super weekend with your family!

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  3. Well Jimmy when you do get to South Carolina, give me a shout. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to meet in person with our sweeties.

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  4. My wife and I were recently divorced too when we met each other...and like you, we used the 'never' word a lot.

    It's funny all the plans one makes for their future, and then somehow wandering pathways lead you somewhere else....and you end up saying, "How did I ever want anything else?"

    Yes, it is attitude and appreciating what you have that makes all the difference.

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  5. You are sooo right about the Happy! And to let God just lead you. You are both Blessed.

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  6. I like how God has that sense of humor. Seems he is always winking and smiling at our plans. I have no doubt you are right where you are supposed to be. It really is amazing God led you both to New Mexico to find each other across all those miles.

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  7. wow what a great story and so true we all end up where we are suppose to be eventually

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  8. Loved this post--fun to read it again too! Hope things are going well for you, Jimmy!

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  9. I've only been to California once and I LOVED it. But we were only in San Fran/Napa Valley/Sonoma areas. The redwood forest we visited was amazing.

    It's interesting to hear stories of how folks wind up living where they are. Usually it's job or family, but sometimes it's unique circumstances.

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  10. Since I was born in San Francisco, I've been kind of spoiled with the California weather. The heat kills me and I hate snow. Cali can be a great place, but I'm sure you'll get back to Carolina one day.

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  11. We (SC) are the poorer for it, but SO-CAL and Cindy are the richer...

    There is enough of you to go around--and God has us all connected anyhow!

    Thank Him for Blogs Huh???

    Great stuff!

    Tails!


    John

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  12. If we are confident that what we do will work out, then every fork in road leads to happiness...

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  13. Thank You everybody, You are all great and I do appreciate you all, Yes you have to be happy in where you are because thats where you are supposed to be, looking ahead and dreaming is a good thing as long as regrets don't overshadow your thoughts.

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  14. Everythinh happens for a reason & I've no doubt that you are exactly where you are supposed to be!

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  15. Amen Peg, I agree with you my Friend.

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