Goodbye Florida

Just returned from a funeral down in Florida. It’s been years since I last set foot there.

Circumstances back then reluctantly nudged me to leave. Departing Florida meant leaving behind a lot of hope and expectation that I had tied to the move. Heading back to Wyoming, much of that hope remained, emotionally tethered to the Sunshine State.

My plan? To revisit all my beloved spots while in Florida, hoping to reignite some of that initial hope and adventure I found there.

Back in Florida, it was a world of green—lush and vibrant. A stark contrast to the biting winter chill of Wyoming. I rediscovered flora I didn’t even know existed years ago. The warmth and humidity worked wonders on my freeze-dried Wyoming skin. It felt like coming home.

Yet, as I wandered through those familiar places, as beautiful and significant as they were, my emotional journey felt a bit lackluster. What I had sought, what I had left behind in Florida, seemed to have moved on.

Thus, during this trip, I bid farewell to two things: an aunt who finally made peace with someone like me marrying the girl she raised, and Florida itself.

Farewell, Rosie. Farewell, Florida.

✨

Wishing you gentle waves and fond memories, D 🌴🌊