Monday, January 1, 2018

New Year's Day Musings from Americus Garden Inn


As I say “hello” to 2018, my heart overflows with the love and friendship we have enjoyed over the last few weeks.  Although it has been the busiest December in all our 15 years of innkeeping, it has been the most enjoyable.

We are often asked, what is there to do in Americus?  I truly believe that the magic of Americus is in the “being” in the moment versus the “doing”.  Allow me to elaborate by sharing some of our own experiences with our wonderful guests.

Three very special ladies, Amanda, Keyshonda, and Joanna, all celebrate December birthdays.  They chose to stay with us at the Americus Garden Inn for their girlfriends' getaway, even though they were attending a concert in Albany, about an hour away.  What a joy it was to see them celebrate their friendship, sisterhood, and life, away from the cares of their families and children.  You could see how much they love each other and really enjoy being together.

Mike and Lynn have stayed with us before and decided to stay a little longer for this visit.  Lynn homeschools their children, and they were enjoying some much-needed adult time while their kids were away at Christmas camp.

This is the second Christmas we had the pleasure of Ron and Nanc’s company for a 3-day visit.  Nanc has been working on a WWII book about her Uncle Tim.  The day she was born, was the day her family received notice that her uncle’s plane had been shot down.  She is honoring him by learning everything possible about him and those around him from that time.  She actually found the location of the downed plane, in Greece, and recently arranged for a service at sea honoring all those lost.  Coming to our home was an emotional respite for her.

Larry and Ellen stayed with us for their ninth visit.  At this point, they truly are like family.  They have an RV in Florida and their permanent residence is in North Carolina.  We get to see them on their way to and from North Carolina.   They recently moved into a retirement community with lots of activities and great food.  We’re learning about possible options for when we start thinking about the next chapter of our own lives.

Susanne and Ingo came all the way from Germany to our area to visit Richland Rum to add the artisan rum to their rum collection.  They were absolutely delightful guests.  The conversations we have with our international guests are always enlightening.  Wish they could have stayed longer than one night, but, they were on their way to visit friends in Ocala. Florida.

Joan and Larry live quite a distance away from each other.  Americus was a midway point, a perfect meeting spot for a 3-day romantic getaway.   It was Larry’s first B&B and I believe that it will not be his last.  Although he usually would choose the Waffle House for breakfast, he was pleasantly surprised that he enjoyed what I prepared for them.   Larry likes raisin bread, Joan likes tea.  So, for their last morning, I decided to make them a special bread incorporating both – English tea bread, made with English breakfast tea and raisins.  I really do try to make people happy.

What do all these guests have in common?  They came to our home to just “be” here.  To spend time here.  To allow us to open our home and our hearts.  I feel blessed.

Happy New Year.
Love,
Susan


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