As I rode in the car, a line from an very old ballad played in my head.
“In 1814 we took a little trip … on down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.”
Chances are you won’t recognize the lyrics.
The song, “The Battle of New Orleans,” was #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1959 and Johnny Horton won Best Country and Western Performance for his rendition.
I love those oldie ballads that tell such great stories. “Trailer for Sale or Rent,” “Big Bad John,” and all of Harry Chapin’s song are other favorites.
“The Battle of New Orleans” was an educational ballad. If you’re a history buff, you know there was a battle for New Orleans in 1814. And, the story song was accurate.
But New Orleans wasn’t my destination on my trip to the Gulf of Mexico.
I was headed to Corpus Christi with my youngest daughter and her oldest son to get him settled at the A&M campus there.
Taking a child to college is such a mixed bag of emotions. Exciting and sad at the same time.
My eyes teared up as we bid him farewell at the end of the day. Grandson looked a little apprehensive at the prospect of being totally on his own so far away from home and family to me.
His Mom managed the drop off better than I did. She knew her kid, had confidence in his ability to handle the new situation.
I made a second trip to The Island University on Labor Day weekend with his Pepa. This time to bring him back home for the holiday.
Grandson was all smiles. He’d loved his first week and couldn’t wait to get back!
Growing up and turning loose can be so hard on those of us watching. At least for this Nana it is.
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