Revisiting Asheville...

Last week we returned to Asheville, for the first time and last time - forever, for now. It was bittersweet to drive the winding roads that lead us back to your childhood home on Hazel Brook Road. When we pulled in the driveway, we immediately noticed the notsosubtle changes to remind us that everything has changed.

Weeds have overgrown the front yard where you used to do cartwheels. Trash lined the broken concrete in the driveway, and barking dogs warned us to stay away. It was overgrown with neglect, and even the fruit trees had been cut down. Nothing was the same, but the memories were triggered.

We tried to drive up to Craggy Gardens, to show Teresa the views. But the gate was closed to our access point. We tried to tour through the Asheville Community Theatre, but the doors were locked for the holiday weekend. And now, even our old house had the feeling of near condemnation.

So then we tried to recreate the beautiful moment when I turned to find you, hiking behind me. All those years ago, and you - my angel- are the one thing that has stayed the same!

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