Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze "
John Denver
Even people I know who loathe country music, universally admit to liking John Denver's classic. Some of them even like the more contemporary version, sang by Daryle Singletary, that is my personal favorite of "Country Roads" due to his powerful voice. I live one state over from the West Virginia line, although as most who read history books know, is that this was once all Virginia. No disrespect for VA, but I prefer the western part much better. This isn't to say that people in Northern Virginia or other parts are bad, but there's some wonderful about the Mountain State. "Wild and Wonderful" is the motto, and I've had the good fortune of spending many days there. Whether the southern part with the New River white water rafting, camping on the Shenandoah River, or in the more urbanized parts of Martinsburg, each trip has been a lot of fun.
You walk into a diner, and I guarantee you that a waitress will call you "hon." Respect for your fellow human beings reigns supreme in Buchanan and other parts of the state, where people still wave to you, and people will stop for a funeral procession. In all of my travels to WV, I've felt loved and cared for, and was heartbroken along with people around the world, of a young man with Angelman Syndrome passing away just a little while ago. He is in Heaven, without any hold up from St Peter, but rather a welcome sign with "Come on in hon." The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the trinity are with this family now, and may He provide the foundation for them to carry on, to not get over but through, to persevere.
John Denver's song is a perfect description. West Virginia is "almost Heaven." Yet there is a place that there is no suffering, no pain, no heartbreak, just love from Jesus and God whom squeezes but does not choke.The state might be the most beautiful in the union, but its no where in comparison, to where our angels are. They are having quite a party up there, and while there is sadness on earth, may this family feel compassion, understanding, and we always have their back. The Blue Ridge Mountains, the powerful and long river of the Shenandoah, are nothing when compared to the beauty of God's love, and ours as well.