My dad moved back to West Virginia last September. Winter weather hit not long after and dad hates the winter. We planned a fishing trip with him in the Spring. Then… a health crisis with unknown outcomes and travel bans. For a while, I had no idea when I would see him again.
It had been over a year since Andrew and I had taken the trip down south to see my dad. Every chance we had to go down and see him, there was something. This time, I can’t make this up, a hurricane nearly canceled our trip again.
If you hadn’t guessed, my dad moved back to the country because he, for the most part, enjoys the solitude… but I could hear the hurt in his voice when we talked about the rain coming through SW WV over the weekend. My schedule wouldn’t allow for me to travel down to see him again until mid-November, and it would be risking it with the weather by then. We were so grateful to be able to go down during the week after the rain had passed through so that we could visit outdoors.
The trees aren’t quite yet as colorful as they are here in Ohio and the air was humid, but clear, and full of bugs when we arrived in Boone County. It still felt like a mid-summer day and it took us a while to adjust, but I was thankful for it.
Andrew and I stopped for Biscuit World in town before we drove out to dad’s. I always try to have Tudor’s when I visit! Dad is still in the middle of heavy renovations, but his latest addition is a beautiful new back porch! Despite all the bugs, it was nice to be elevated a bit from the grass and have some shade.
Whenever I visit, I always feel like a kid exploring outdoors. He showed us where he planted the grape plant I sent him for Father’s Day. I had to call about sixteen different places to find a nursery that would deliver to him. It was worth it! See if you can spot the tiny Concord grape plant in the photos below.
We wandered around the property, talking, and swatting away the bugs. Dad is quiet (mom is too) so that probably explains me. Sometimes there isn’t a need to speak, just to be. Dad broke the silence to ask me what I was thinking at one point and I told him I was just enjoying watching the leaves fall in the breeze. It’s why I chose a tiny house with a big back yard for myself. Some of us just prefer Mayberry.
We got to visit a little bit with Grandpa Knight, Uncle Bill, and my Aunt Jeannie- all outdoors and socially distanced! Grandpa Knight lives next door to dad and I loved looking at his flowers. He had the most amazing cockscomb, snapdragons, and roses. We were talking too much for me to think to ask for photos of them. I always regret that when we go to leave and I realize I forgot, but it just shows how much fun we were having talking. Andrew had some trouble focusing with my big girl camera too… I even took a selfie of myself to document that I was there too in case none of me came out clear!
I loved listening to Aunt Jeannie share stories from her and dad’s childhood. She has a vivid memory, or maybe you could call it a vivid feeling, of my pawpaw. Her recollection of that was so special. I was so glad she drove out after work to visit with us.
Before we left, my dad said, “You still look like my daughter.” Looking at dad, my heart nearly stops as his age shows itself so clearly to me. I know this may be the only time I see him this year. It’s hard for me to contemplate it, but I know the simple life in the mountains is where he wants to be.
His only little girl
If he'd had the money
He'd have given her the world
Sittin' on the front porch
Together they would sing
Oh, how I long to hear that harmony
-Simple Love, Alison Krauss
