Do Overs

The dynamics of my little hometown have changed in the last couple of years. People have chosen sides like the rest of the country and at times taken the divide to an extreme. I had become disillusioned with my little hometown with fear that it will never be what I believed it was.

As tragic as I believed it has become. I was reminded of what it means to live in this quiet little town. It’s like most small rural communities in our country. Where most don’t need to bolt their doors. Where the same people that gossip about you are the first to lend a hand. Where the mayor can come from nothing get an education start a successful business and lead with integrity and compassion not ever forgetting where he came from. Where you can go to the store and know the majority of people you meet in the aisle. Where the community supports the music program as much as the sports teams. Where on summer Sundays you can go see an amateur baseball game at its finest. On Friday nights community band plays at the gazebo in the center of town. If you’re a senior they have a center with numerous activities. If you are a juvenile they have a ton of organized activities. A beautiful park by the lake in town along with numerous parks set along the river that runs through our town. Organizations like Rotary, Jaycees, Lions Club, and Local Arts Board. Volunteer fire dept. Community foundation that is well-organized and generous. What they all have in common is run by locals and making my little town even better and safer.

Is it perfect not even close but my little town has always strived to be better? Could it improve absolutely? The definition of community, Fellowship with common interests.

I was wrong about what I believed it has become because I forgot about all the things that make us a community. The Country is divided about an abundance of issues that we can either latch on to or continue on the path of making our community better for all. Will everyone always agree on local issues absolutely not but as long as we continue to be a little community with neighbors that know their names and their kids’ names. There is way more right than wrong.

My mother always said ” you need to be part of the solution, not part of the problem ” Sorry mom I forgot for a while”

Lopped