Reflections

So, I had an interesting experience I want to share, since I think it displays some changes in the way I think now that I live in a "small town." A couple days ago a man I didn't recognize walked into Carter Ag (where I work). Just like I do to every other customer I said, "How's it goin'?", expecting the normal response of "alright" or "Good. You?" Instead, I got a somewhat ornery, "Not so good; I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere without a tire." Now, instead of feeling Christ-like charity for this man (as every good Christian ought), I immediately felt indignant pride swelling within me. A thousand thoughts went through my mind in about a second; let me share: I thought, The middle of nowhere? "Small town" maybe, "the country" maybe, but the middle of nowhere?! Does "the middle of nowhere" have an elementary, middle, and high school? Does the middle of nowhere have a celebration that almost doubles the size of the town every July? Does the middle of nowhere have a gas station complete with a grill that makes just about anything you could ask for? And what about the diversity of people? Does the middle of nowhere have Caucasians, Asians, and Mexicans? People with only a high school degree to boast of and people with their masters degrees? Christians, Catholics, Atheists, and people who aren't sure what they believe? People who have made their millions and live in huge houses on the hill, and people who are content to spend the rest of their life in a single-wide trailer? An auto mechanic, a hardware store, a farm equipment dealership, a hair salon, and a photo studio? I don't think so. We may be small, but "the middle of nowhere" does NOT have that kind of diversity.

Needless to say, I can tell I'm becoming a true blue country girl because a year ago I probably would have thought the same thing as that man without a tire. I probably would have stereotyped the people that lived here, questioned their abilities, and been glad that I didn't live in "the middle of nowhere." Now, my heart swells with pride as I think about all the different people, all the diversity, and the rich tradition that surrounds me here. We have all the same action, all the same diversity, and all the same drama as "the big city"--it's just a little more...concentrated. I'm grateful for that man and the chance he gave me to reflect on my life and the judgments I make. I guess the old adage "you can't judge a book by its cover" is true. You just never know the truth about a place until you experience it first hand.

And in case your wondering, No, I did not say all that was on my mind to our weary traveler. Instead I said a curt, "Ya'll come back now, ya hear?"



*one small note: "hair salon" might be a slight exaggeration, considering that she cuts hair in her kitchen; but, you get the point.