Carolina Contemplation

On my way home last night I heard the song, Carolina In My Mind, by the great James Taylor. As I was listening to this sweet and soft melody my mind started drifting into a deep and contemplative place, and the thoughts have been jostling about in my own Carolina mind for quite a few hours. Typically, when this happens to me, it ends up here in the Back Nine Chronicles, I hope you enjoy.

I started thinking about the last 17, almost 18 years now (wow) that I have lived in North Carolina, and I realized that I have actually lived here almost as long as I lived in NY growing up (19 years). The other 12 years of my life ( please put your calculators away) I have lived in Florida, the other beautiful state that I am moving back to in less than two weeks. Pondering over my years in Carolina actually brought me to tears last night, as I have so many great memories ( and....yes...some not so great) of living here in the diverse landscape of North Carolina. For those of you who have never been here, NC has an interesting mixture of mountains, beaches, cool cities (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Asheville, and Wilmington), and even some Pine Barrens (which makes for great golf). So, as I starting pontificating over my years here, I thought I would serve up a tribute to this state through the words on this page. It has been a great home for many years, and as I look back and peer inside, so many great things happened here while I called NC home. If any you read my piece about HOME (take a look back into the archives if you so desire) a few years ago, you may remember that I struggle greatly over the notion of where HOME is for me. However, as I get ready to take flight out of NC I can truly say that it's been a great place to live. As it is my desire to always stay positive, I won't spend much time thinking about the negative aspects of my time here. This will be easy as I lay pen to paper in this piece, due to the fact that I have so many great memories of being here, and the good times heavily outweigh the bad.

The timing of this piece is obviously emotional for me, due to the fact that I am moving soon. In addition, my oldest son (AJ) will actually be staying here as he was unable to handle the demands of the dramatic change with the move to FL. He tried it for about a month, but had a strong desire to come back to NC, live with his Grandparents, and attend the same school he is used to. Some of you may not know, AJ has Aspergers Syndrome and change is very hard for him. The decision to bring him back was excruciatingly difficult, but our focus has always been on him and what's best for him. So, another close to my heart reason to keep Carolina on my mind...AJ will still be here.

There are many other reasons why this piece is emotional for me, and I think that the best way for me to communicate will be to serve it up in bullet form recanting milestones, unique opportunities/events, career activities, and great family moments.

*4 of my children were born in NC, 3 in Winston-Salem and one here in Durham. Those were fun times. I loved having babies, they were so sweet and adorable, and I was a proud father.

*Had my first house building experience in Winston Salem. That was really a great town, I made some great friends, and my career was starting to take shape.

*In 1998 I started my first "home office" job in the mortgage business. Most of you know how that story ended, but it was quite a ride, and I was fortunate to be able to work from home for 13 years. Pretty cool.

*I joined my first golf club in 2000, Pinebrook CC in Winston. What a great place, really nice people, and perfect golf course for that stage of my life.

*Bought a great house on 2 acres in Hillsborough, NC in 2003. This was a nice time, my career was taking off, the kids were all small and happy, and for the most part, life was peaceful and enjoyable.

*Joined my 2nd country club in 2003, and even better course, pool, and amenities for the kids. Had a great New Years Eve with my brother, sister, and my parents one year, my 40th BD party (ouch), and Annalise's 1st birthday party as well. Very good years at Croasdaile Country Club.

*My older sister and her family AND my parents moved to NC to be closer, and we had several great years together while they were here, spending the Holidays together...etc....those were good years. I wish it lasted longer, but as they say..."everything happens for a reason" - I really believe that by the way. How about you?

*Landed the best job I ever had at Citibank in 2004. Good times, still can't believe it ended, but life goes on...right?

*My kids all started school in NC, made friends, played sports, and for the most part were all very happy while we were here in NC.

*Other great things about NC that I will not soon forget; The North Carolina Tar Heels (was a fan before I came...will be 4EVER), The Biltmore House, Pinehurst #2, The Outer Banks (one great vacation with the kids), Olde Beau CC (some great golf with college pals), Royal Bank of Canada (great job for 3 years), RDU airport (lots of miles logged), St.Mary's Catholic School (AJ & Austin), Holy Family Catholic Church (Christenings, 1st Communions), New Horizon Church (there in my time of need), and even the big empty house in Rougement (thanks to my sister an her husband, I lived for free ) - I also wrote most of my book there, rediscoverd myself, and reclaimed my life. Not sure it could have unfolded any other way.

* Lastly, all of the great friends I met in NC. Too many to mention, but here's a few: Joel & Val, Lee & Renee, Bobby Monroe, Rob Donahue, Hank Shurtz, Keith Hite, Mike Faciolo, Mike Farrell, Beth Watkins, Nancy Hainey, Angelo Taracko, Cindy Valiere, Lisa Henry, Linda Shropshire, Teresa Ray, Grace Chauser, Jeffery Husen, Larry Roberts, Dave Bowman, Kyle Ollis, Pauline Letso, Bob Olsen, Father Tom, Russell Allamand, Renata Resova, Jordan Campbell, Eric Stimpson, Domenic & Susan Melilo, Phil, Elise, and Jordan Okrend, Mark Spicer, Micheal Machikas, Eric Ficthner, Max Kipfer, Bob Longmire, Eric Willis, Sean Botsford, Devin Delane, Evan Vanderwarka, Angela Hopton, Elizabeth Ray, Bonny Eaddy, Kristin Stine, Thomas Helmer, Rene Clark, and Chris Dell. I am sure I missed a few, but I would be remiss if I said goodbye to NC without mentioning one of the things that is most important in my life, relationships. I truly believe that the imprint to leave on others is very important, and the effort you put forth into making someone else's life better is what makes true friendships. All of these people have made an impact on me, and I hope in some small way, I have done the same for them.

Overall, I have enjoyed my time in NC, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. So, yes.......Carolina will be on my mind. Peace.......Tony