Heart of the Home AWAY FROM HOME got a whole new meaning this year. On January 1st I was in a "pickle". Cooking is my life but being in a "pickle" was not my thing. The Barker Brothers and I had a great New Years Eve with all the folks at Clay's Corner in Brasstown North Carolina. We were there to celebrate THE POSSUM DROP... now in New York we celebrate with an APPLE and in Atlanta with a PEACH but at Clays' Corner we celebrate with a POSSUM. Clay began this tradition several years ago and this was my first year to experience this event. EXPERIENCE I did. I had this very nice motor home. Problem being I couldn't drive it and once all the fun was over in the wee morning hours I found my self STRESSING... how would I get it back to Georgia???? The Barker Brothers had several friends at the event and thank goodness one of them agreed to drive it to Mineral Bluff Georgia for me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

There's a saying in the south... you will do all year what you did on New Years Eve. Not this old girl. I spent the evening with a large crowd of very nice people and then spent the next hour stressing over the motor home and then spent the night in a remote cabin in Mineral Bluff, Georgia. I woke to my favorite preacher Joel Osteen. GREAT SERMON… He says if God takes someone from your life there is a reason and if HE brings someone into your life there is a reason. I now know that New Years Eve and the plan GOD HAS for me is amazing. My life was "good" but I wasn't living. I was going to work and then more work and then more work. I couldn't carry on a conversation that wasn't about work. Silly me. New Years Day I sat in the cabin listening to music and reflecting. When your life flashes before you and it is not a pretty picture its time for a new "camera".

The motor home was still sitting in Mineral Bluff and I had not learned to drive it over night. What in the world am I going to do??? Well of course you call the friend that knows all about you and still loves you. I called my dear friend Fran Cathey. In the few minutes we talked about me coming to Jasper to get her and she followed ME driving a vehicle I COULD NOT drive and she was given a "brain storm". She called her nephew. He knew me and watches North Georgia Now TODAY. He also has a CDL and can drive ANYTHING. Thank you Lord for putting Fran's head to work.

The rest is history. We have now traveled 14,000 miles and met so many wonderful people. He is an amazing man with a kind heart. Folks and fans love him to death and really love the new smile on my face. GOD does have a plan and when you include HIM in your life the plan is perfect. There is no way I could describe to ya'll what this year has done to me and for me. I no longer only live to work. I don't plan my life... I live my life. The travels, the sweet memories and the kind faces we see in each trip we take are priceless. Thank you to each and every one who have helped make this past 19 months so incredible. I treasure each of you and I want you all to share in my happiness.

Please pray that my home in Jasper will sell and I will be starting a new life in Ball Ground with a much smaller house, a much happier heart and a mission to live my life each day to the fullest.

Heart of the Home brought me so many memories and today as I begin a new chapter I know that the memories and the people were part of God's plan for me. Thank you Lord.

With many blessings and best wishes,

Cherie Martin

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