This Is My City

I’m here in Atlanta! My car has a bunch of stuff in it, and after a few days I’ll be able to start unpacking. Soon I’ll have my first independent gig. Yay! and a paycheck. Big Yay! I applied for a receptionist position at a spa near my apartment (I think). That would be really nice. Any job would be nice. I’m really excited to live in Atlanta. As I was driving in, I drove right through downtown and thought “This is my city.” I think I will have some great experiences here. And I’m sure I will grow as a musician and a person. I can’t wait! - Miranda, June 2005

Sometimes when I write, I like to have the TV on in the background. It makes the writing feel less…intimidating. Today, as I typed up my past journal entries, Sex and the City came on, a show I watched religiously in my 20s. I came across this entry just as the Fleet Week episode began to play.

For those of you behind on your reruns, the Fleet Week episode finds all of the women in a state of transition. Miranda is a new mom, Charlotte is a new divorcée, Samantha is newly single, and Carrie is pondering the Great Loves of her past. As she reflects on her relationships, she realizes that the Great Love she cherishes the most is her city - New York City. Such a funny parallel.

I wrote this entry on my first trip to Atlanta, with all my belongings packed in the car, ready to start my new adventure. I had a single gig, a potential day job, a new checking account (for when the money started rolling in!), and a whole lot of hope.

I have always loved Atlanta. I know it isn’t for everyone, but there is something about this place that makes me comfortable. There have been ups and downs, to be sure. When I started out, I was eager to win a job and move on. But over time (13 years!), the city became part of me. I have built a career here. I bought a condo here. I met my husband and got married here, and we live just down the street from my very first apartment, right in the middle of the city. Who knows what the future holds, but for now, this is still My City.

The Star On The Wings

Things quieting down some.  News is much better - lots of planes flying around + using this field.  We are really in the front line now.  Hospital down to 4 patients - everyone is afraid the U.S. airmen are staying here + that we are sure to be bombed.  Right after lunch we had to run like everything because the urgent alarm + then the planes came so quick.  They came tearing down the valley real low and we thot sure we were going to get aplenty - then we noticed the star on the wings - our own planes - 8 of them - they all landed, but took off again very shortly.  We played pinochle later. 

A real fight today.  At noon 9 planes landed here to refuel.  Almost immediately the alarm sounded + they all took to the air, waiting for the Japs.  They came sneeking over the mountains - 8 of them, bombed the airfield + made a beeline for home, our planes hot on their trail.  We heard 1 Jap plane had been shot down.  We'll be seeing plenty of excitement around here now I think. 

-Annette, June 1943

Annette and Clary had a front-row seat to all the wartime action!  I included two entries here, because I love her entries from June 1943. 

Annette had been in China for over two years, and she always longed for some connection to home.  I see it in her cooking, her excitement over letters and magazines, and of course, in her desire to keep up with the progressing war.  There is a shift, though.  Now, she isn't just running for air raid sirens.  Now, she can look up and see those stars on the wings.  American pilots flying American planes.  Even in the devastation of war, I can only imagine the relief and pride she felt.  Maybe hope, too.  Hope that they were going to make it through this terrible war.

Her past entries included so much detail about their daily routines, but as the front lines shifted, all entries were war updates.  Here, though, she mentions a game of pinochle - her favorite evening activity with her friends.  Slowly, the details come back.  She had an awful toothache. She found time to can the beans before they went bad.  Her friend Elsie is pregnant again.  She even mentions (finally!) how many orphans they sent with Miss Simon - 14 infants!

Even when the world is turned upside down, Annette noticed the details.  It's easy to give up hope when 8 planes fly overhead - until you see the star on the wings.  Those American pilots renewed her spirits - and her connection to her home.  

I'll take a break from Annette for the next few posts, but don't worry, we'll come back to this time in her life.  Exciting things are coming up for her!