When we moved to Tennessee I know my children were not happy about it. I tried to put everything in a positive light for them, especially when it came to house hunting. We ran our poor real estate agent ragged but she was wonderful. We looked at house after house after house; but I thought it was fun and tried to make it enjoyable for everyone. We did most of our hunting during the spring and summer of 2009. There were many days when on our own while Mark was at work, the kids and I would get in the car and just drive through different neighborhoods looking for house for sale signs and flyers.
I’ll never forget one particular day when the four of us (kids and I) were driving in a neighborhood near Choto Lane and we kept seeing chipmunks. We were enthralled because we had never seen chipmunks in person. We were having a lively conversation when Derric jokingly said something derogatory to Madison. She being seated in the back seat with Dallas but behind him leaned forward with her long arms and fingers and wrapped her hands around Derric’s neck, playfully trying to strangle him. I know, how is that playful? Surrounded by pandemonium in the car as I drove through this neighborhood I can only imagine if anyone had seen us they were glad we were driving away. It was funny but you had to be there to appreciate it. Anyway, as Derric was laughing and yelling at Madison she was laughing and yelling at him for what he said. Dallas was laughing at them both and I was doing my best to pay attention to the road. Suddenly there was a moment of silence when Madison states or yells, “black chicken.” Another moment of silence followed by all of us laughing and Madison pointing at, indeed a black chicken. Thankfully we were at a stop sign and able to take a real pause. The chicken caught her eye through all the chaos in the car and everything else was forgotten. We were a little surprised, but thought it cool that in this very nice neighborhood someone kept chickens and she had never seen a black chicken in person.
We talked and laughed about that day for many weeks and every time I hear someone say the name Choto Lane I think of that day laughing with my kids while we house hunted and those adorable little chipmunks and that awesome black chicken. It’s these little crazy silly moments that bring a smile to my face and that I miss so much. I thank God everyday for these wonderful memories.
Madison and Chip.
