Like all kids I had dreams, from wanting to be just like Sgt Joe Mathews, to being president of the United States. Spoiler alert, I never became a sergeant in the highway patrol....or our nation's president. Nevertheless I did get to travel some interesting roads.
My life has been an adventure, raised on a small farm the next few decades would see me also live in a small town, in a big city, in the suburbs and finally in rural America. Each of my homes brought forth lessons about life everyone would be fortunate to learn.
If this is your first time reading me, don't be offended.....but I say some shit for affect.
Shit stinks....and we all shit. Growing up on a small farm I got to witness first hand people that thought their shit didn't stink.... Only to discover people in all walks of life hold similar opinions. My dad (1918-1997) often quoted his grandmother (1860's-1920's) ".......no matter how high an ole buzzard flies, someday he'll come down to earth. And when he does, chances are it will be in a big pile of cow shit....."
Yes, clearly ole granny knew a thing or two about people. There have been times when I was a little too proud of myself, and sure enough karma eventually saw me crash in the biggest pile of shit I've ever seen.....
It took me years to learn that neither your money or position in life determines the quality of your soul. From a small farm, to a big city, and at each stop in between I have seen people fall short of the glory of God (myself very much included) There are things I loved about each and things I wish the world could understand.
In the country people still wave at one another...... City folks never seem to wave at one another.... (except for a few girls that always seem to be standing on the corners in the state streets--they still wave)
I think people in the country need cup holders so they can safely drive, wave at on coming vehicles and not spill a drop of their beer.....
Growing up in the 1970's on a small farm, 2 miles outside a small town (pop 903) I can say with complete honesty we knew every family in every direction for at least 5 miles. Come Halloween most of the kids hit every house in town, and called everyone by name.... what an awesome way to grow up! By the 2nd grade every kid in town knew that one banker that passed out toothbrushes,.....and nickels too. It might not have been the chocolate we wanted, but respect was shown regardless.
In the big city, my world shrank..... we spoke often with the neighbors on our street, but very little beyond that.... The homeless man may have been the most respectful of all, thanking you each time for pocket change that meant very little to you....but meant survival for him.
In the suburbs we knew neighbors....going down both sides of the street for 3 or 4 homes at most..... Of course some knew more people than me....I remember one night my dog needed to go potty, I opened the front door letting her slip outside. Standing in the shadows I noticed 2 people standing just inches apart talking a couple of homes up the street. After a few minutes of talking, they embraced (warmly) then separated each returning to a home on opposite sides of the street. Within a few months both couples divorced.... One of the husbands like to stop by when I cut my grass to talk.... I never told him I saw him kiss the neighbor.....maybe I should have.
Today a drive through the country reminded me of something I really miss..... Country Courtesy. As a child, no matter how busy life might be, when you met a long line of cars, headlights on and led by a hurst we would pull to the side of the road, stop and if space permitted get out standing perfectly still as a sign of respect for the dead and their funeral procession....... I have never seen the world come to a stop for anyone in the city,...... yes some overpasses do this for fallen police/fire and military loss of life.....but in the country it was automatic every single time.
When my time comes, I'd like to look down and see the world slow down and stop if just for a moment in time. And for those bastards that I didn't like, maybe get stuck in the mud on the side of the road....
What roads did you take?
