Wednesday morning, I drove over to Watkinsville for a meeting…that had been canceled. No one thought to tell me. Oh well. I was in such a good mood that there was no frustrating me with inconveniences. When you find yourself in Watkinsville early in the morning and you haven’t eaten breakfast yet and you have a little time on your hands, what do you do? This girl pops in to Waffle House for a Cheese and Eggs platter with grits, wheat toast, and sausage. Aw, yeah!
I sat at the low counter because all the spinny seats at the high counter were taken. On one perched a retired man in a cowboy hat with a peacock feather bobbing from the band. The seat by the register held a prosperous looking fellow in an emerald green golf shirt who held up a full-page newspaper ad and told the waitress, “THAT is NOT Kim Kardashian.” Obvious Photoshopping on the waistline. In the center, a couple deep in their phones.
Ms V. took my order–she’s my favorite because one time Vivi and I went in there and they talked about sharing V names. While the cooks did their thing, one of the younger girls started singing a pop song. She wasn’t as entertaining as she thought she was. Ms. V must not have approved because after she dropped off my plate, she walked over to the jukebox, pressed some magic button and started up something far better: Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch singing “I’ll Fly Away” from the “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack.
I couldn’t help it. Quietly, under my breath. Just loud enough to hear myself…I started singing.
I’ll fly away oh glory
I’ll fly away in the morning
When I die hallelujah by and by
I’ll fly away
The Cheese and Eggs platter reminds me of my Grandmama Eunice. In the summers when I was young, I spent the days with her while my parents and siblings worked. Some days, she would fix me a big breakfast–eggs, sausage, grits and toast. I liked to use the toast as a base, pile on a little dab of grits for mortar, then a little bit of egg, then a bite of sausage and eat it all together. I still eat it that way at the Waffle House. I was thinking of Grandmama Eunice and those breakfasts, singing “When the shadows of this life have gone, I’ll fly away,” when I realized that the woman beside me was singing too. And the man with the newspaper was whistling along. The peacock feather kept the beat. Ms. V joined in on the chorus.
I’ll fly away in the morning
When I die hallelujah by and by
I’ll fly away
I’ll fly away
To a land where joys will never end
I’ll fly away
I’ll fly away in the morning
When I die hallelujah by and by
I’ll fly away
I’ll fly away
A few hours earlier, my friend, Hannah, had shared this quote from J. B. Priestley: “I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.” Amen. I found my bit of magic at the Waffle House in Watkinsville, singing an old song with strangers. My bill was $8 and I left a $20 for Ms. V.
Here’s to a new day, a fresh try, one more start!
Love this. My dad and all his retired buddies have breakfast at the Huddle House every morning. I love the way they all take care of each other there. You never know where you are going to find community.
Yes! I loved seeing the inside jokes between the diners and the staff. A lot of fondness at that time of the morning!
What a great morning!! My Grandma (who was a preacher) used to sing that song all the time. She couldn’t sing very well but it was beautiful to me! She’s flown to Glory Land but I still hear her voice in that song. Thank you for sharing, Ashley. <3
Oh, wonderful!!! I’ve been singing it since yesterday.
This might just be my favorite post ever. That is my favorite song, for certain. Thank you for continuing to share your gift, Ashley.
Yay! I am going to dig out that CD tonight. Great stuff on there.
Sounds like your morning ended up perfectly! And thanks for that song. I love Alison and that song (as I’m singing along!).
Where is that dang “LOVE” button? Love that song, love that soundtrack, love this story and the memories, and love you. Amen.
Thank you for this. God has me right where he needs me. God bless you and your family. Ms. V 🙂
Peace on your journey!
Leave it to v to work the magic.
-squishy