You can go home again

Swainsboro will always be my home. I have heard often that ‘You cannot go home again’. I know this does not apply to me, even though my address has not been 231 Church Street since high school graduation. My goal was always to live in Atlanta forever. That was where I started the college education that I was determined to complete, but that changed when I met a Rambling wreck from Georgia Tech and followed his Air Force service, and his later career, to homes in many states but never in Georgia. Finally, we made a home in Greenville, South Carolina, which is as similar to home as I have ever lived. However, I have not had an opportunity to put a foot into Swainsboro. At this time in my life, I long to go home and have found that I can. I have a quote that assures me how to visit my hometown. My heart is filled with memories A memory is a picture that you take with your heart. My picture places me on the courthouse square dominated with the white Georgia marble courthouse. I walk through the stately downstairs and see the officials who governed Emanuel County. First, is the Ordinary that I called “Uncle Jot.” My father was his deputy and occupied an office with him. Daddy was valuable to him because he was deaf, so Daddy tried his cases. Down the hall was long time Sherrif Payton Youmans. His son, ”Little Payton”, spent as much time in the courthouse as I did. We often played in the courtroom and tried many pretend cases. After leaving, I walk around the square and visit Mrs. Rosenberg in her store where my mother always had a dress on layaway for me. Next comes my favorite dime stores, Darlings and United. My first job was at Roberts Shoes where I learned sales tactics from my hero, Charlotte Roberts, who successfully took over the business after the death of her husband, which was unusual for a woman. I have gone home again. No visit to Swainsboro would be complete without a stop to buy a Lucille Lewis hamburger. The pictures my heart has taken of these memories will always take me home again. Write to Shirley at [email protected].