I love living in a small town and attending a small church. I have so many good friends in this photo, and I love them all. Some of the voices coming from the choir this morning are voices I've heard all my life like those of Edna and Talmadge P. My high school P.E. teacher is there, as well as people I grew up with like Dell S. and James B. A few grew up with my children, like Beth P. and Brenda H. And still others are newer friends, although just as treasured, such as Lori (Daisy's mom), Veronica, Eric, and Joan.
Growing up and living in a small town not only gives one roots, it also feeds and waters those roots with feelings of kinship and community. If the town is the garden where I grow, this church and all in it are my gardeners. I have so many ties here. On the far left, about halfway up the pews, sits our mayor (with whom I attended high school) with his arm around his wife (a dear childhood friend--we grew up in the same neighborhood). On the other side of the aisle, wearing a red shirt, is our town newspaper's editor. I haven't known him as long as some; he and his family are new to Leeds, but they fit right in. This church is filled with old teachers of mine, doctors I visited as a child, shop keepers and store owners that my parents patronized, and friends of all ages.
And there are spirits here: 'Fessor Jones (my high school government teacher); Miss Ruby (we still have a women's circle named for her); Uncle Jack H., who always had his pockets stuffed with candy for the children on Sunday mornings; Uncle Frank F., who made the best spaghetti sauce ever; Chet H. and Ted R., both who died so young but left so much of themselves with us. The spirits of these people are embedded in the walls and ceilings and pews. Each time we take communion at that altar, they're right there with us.
And there are new people too--in church and in town. Leeds is growing, and that's mostly good. I don't know the names of everyone in church on Sunday morning these days like I used to. I don't recognize every face I see when I walk down Parkway Drive now. But the new people are bringing not just change, but fresh ideas. Just a few years ago, Leeds looked pretty shabby. Most of the store fronts had fallen into disrepair, and houses were being condemned and abandoned.
Then fresh faces and ideas started arriving. Downtown is now quite charming, and lots of new shopkeepers are helping to revive it. It makes my heart happy to see the old buildings restored--the railroad depot and the shops and old boarding house across the street from it, the old hardware store once run by Harry "the Hat" Walker of baseball fame, the restaurant on the corner of Parkway and 8th Street where Elvis himself once sat and ate a cheeseburger and french fries, the Falletta house across from our church where The King slept that night after his dinner. There are treasures here, and if it takes fresh perspectives to recognize them and keep them safe, then that's fine with me. And if new houses, new subdivisions are cropping up on the outskirts where once flourished farms and homesteads, it's a small price to pay I suppose.
Progress brings sadness, true. The high school where I and generations of Leedites have been educated since the 1940s, where Paige Phillips won her first beauty contest and Charles Barkley became "The Round Mound of Rebound" is being torn down. I dread that; I can hear the ghosts screaming now. But we're getting two brand new schools, I'm told--a middle school and a high school, state of the art. There, new generations will create their own chalk dust and memories. And that's all right; our memories will still be there too.
This town is my home and this church is my family. I have lived other places in my life--but not for long. This place always calls me back. I guess it wants me. I know I want it. John Mellencamp knows how I feel, don't you John?
Small Town
And I live in a small town
Prob'ly die in a small town
Oh, those small communities
All my friends are so small town
My parents live in the same small town
My job is so small town
Provides little opportunity
Educated in a small town
Taught the fear of Jesus in a small town
Used to daydream in that small town
Another boring romantic that's me
I've seen it all in a small town
Had myself a ball in a small town
Married an L.A. doll and brought her to this small town
Now she's small town just like me
No, I cannot forget where it is that I come from
I cannot forget the people who love me
Yeah, I can be myself here in this small town
And people let me be just what I want to be
Got nothing against a big town
Still hayseed enough to say
Look who's in the big town
But my bed is in a small town
Well, I was born in a small town
And I can breathe in a small town
Gonna die in this small town
And that's prob'ly where they'll bury me ...
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 12/03/2007, Molly said ...
Lovely Susan! You are so blessed to be in that kind of community.
On 12/03/2007, Lori said ...
Hi Suzie,
What a great picture to showcase the church, the choir, the memories and of course, your beautiful banners! I'm honored to be among your many new friends, Daisy and I both are! You, Vann and Sophie are such precious gifts! I love you all very much.
Lori (Daisy's Mama)
On 12/03/2007, Alison-My Little Stitching Corner said ...
Your thoughts and sentiments on your town and church were a pleasure to read. Thanks for sharing. Hi for a new visitor!
On 12/03/2007, Gayle said ...
What a beautiful post. It was such a pleasure to read about your town this afternoon. Thank you, Gayle
On 12/03/2007, bj said ...
There nothing in the world to ground you like ROOTS.
bj
On 12/03/2007, Pixie Patti said ...
Garrison Keillor move over we have an author that can wax nostalgic way better than you!!
Very interesting read. You don't know this, but when I die I want to go to Mayberry!
Thanks for lighting up my day...
On 12/03/2007, Trudy Neill of Windemere Farm said ...
Well done on the banners, they are beautiful and not much more can be said about a small town than that which our Hoosier, John Mellencamp, sings so well. What a wonderful posting today, Susan. Thank you.
On 12/04/2007, Deb said ...
Loved this post, Susan! I love small towns, too. And your beautiful banners really show up well in the sanctuary - good job.
On 12/05/2007, Ramey Channell said ...
Well, surprise, surprise. My daddy built that high school that is being torn down.
Signed,
Guess Who
On 12/07/2007, Nicole said ...
What a wonderful post Susan. You make me want to be a part of it all. The photo of your congregation is incredible. And look at those gorgeous banners!
On 12/10/2007, Judy Scott said ...
those banners are amazing ~ beautiful, Judy x
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