I love the South, and I especially love Georgians. Georgians are some of the most courteous people around — people who will go out of their way to help you. I think God created Georgians because his regular angels didn’t take too well to our red mud, what with those white outfits they have to wear.

Helpful Georgia angels are everywhere. A while back, as I was leaving a restaurant, I asked the owner if he had a phone book, since I was determined to find a new dry cleaner to replace the one I was mad at. Well, he didn’t have one, but a lady standing near me said, "Oh, I have a copy in my car. I can get it for you if you want." Isn’t that just like a Georgian? They aren’t afraid to listen in on your conversations, just in case they might be able to help you out with a phone book, jumper cables or a tip for removing red-mud stains.

Since I’m slightly over the age of 14 and since her car was nearby, we headed out to the cold, rainy parking lot. She opened her car door, and there was the book, just like she said. As I started to thumb through the various advertisements, she opened up an umbrella and shielded the rain for me as I read. She even gave me a recommendation on the laundry she liked best. Do you see why I love living in Georgia? Where else are you going to find this kind of hospitality, if not from an angel?

I memorized a few phone numbers, and returned her book. I belatedly introduced myself, thanked her, and asked her name. She told me a few things about herself, and then she told me something that I’ll never forget. She said she had just moved down here from, "up north, in Manhattan." Well, that, "up north, in Manhattan" part floored me. We shook hands, and I thanked her for her help.

As she drove off, I just stood there in the wet parking lot, mulling over how little I really knew about life. I mean, I’ve traveled all across our beautiful state, but I’ve never heard of any Manhattan, Georgia. Oh, well… live and learn. There are so many tiny, little towns up there in the North Georgia Mountains; some of them are bound to sneak by you!