Sometimes, the most profound journeys take us back to places we barely remember yet hold deep roots in our family’s history. Such is the case with Columbus, Georgia, a city that has unexpectedly re-entered my thoughts after many years.
My only visit to Columbus was during seventh grade when I was helping my mother transition my nana into a retirement community. This city, where my mother grew up and my nana lived most of her life, is also where my parents’ lives intertwined; they met in the 1950s while my father was stationed at Fort Benning before his deployment to the Korean War.
The Wives – a new memoir set in Columbus, Georgia
Fast-forward to today. My interest in Columbus has been rekindled by a new memoir, The Wives, by Simone Gorrindo. The book explores life in this city from a newcomer’s perspective — uprooted from New York City, Simone and her husband are dropped into Columbus when he is part of an elite Army unit at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning). Without a doubt, I’m adding this book to my TBR list: the mention of Columbus stirred something within me—a curiosity about this place that shaped so much of my family’s story.
A Potential Sisters’ Reunion
Encouraged by this resurgence of interest, I am contemplating a trip to Columbus as an adult to connect with my past and perhaps understand more about where I come from. It’s an opportunity not just for personal reflection but also for my sisters and me to explore together, reconnecting with our roots and each other.
I encourage everyone to consider revisiting places from their past that might seem unremarkable at first glance. These places often hold unexpected lessons and opportunities for growth. Whether it’s the city where your parents met or a quiet town you visited once long ago, there is value in seeing these spaces through the lens of adulthood and experience.
This journey to Columbus might be the start of rediscovering my family’s history and parts of myself. Where might you (re)discover?
Two Links Du Jour:
1. The Wives, a memoir by Simone Gorrindo, takes place in Columbus, Georgia, while her husband is stationed at Fort Benning – Simon and Schuster
Two Minutes Du Jour 