Today I’ve spent the morning in the solitude of a hotel room. Not much going on in here but me hanging out until my noon meeting. Room service dropped by to end the disarray of last night. Throughout her visit, the air vent blasted cool air in the background of her conversation.
A train whistle now announces the passing of a nine o’clock locomotive. In my mind’s eye, I can picture that scene, for I am back where I grew up. Here in my little hometown, the nine o’clock train meant to me, “be at your desk in class or else.”
It’s just a little town with one movie theater, one high school, one junior college and one address that reads 902 Smithland Avenue, where I lived with my family as a child.
This little town has produced lawyers, politicians, teachers, bankers, mothers and fathers, soldiers, and oh-so-many more good people. We who now pass through this little town (and others like it) don’t always think about who comes out of Little Town, America. Sometimes we even go through life believing that every decision rises and sets on us big city folk. Actually, I think it’s just the opposite. Small towns produce big thinkers, great lovers of family and country, and just plain great common wealth. So hurrah for the small towns of America and especially this one where I now sit killing time and catching some long needed rest. Interesting that I had to land in this little place in order to sleep and cogitate.
The hotel air vent continues to push circulation about my four walls, while outside this hotel the wonderful people of this pretty little town are going about their business doing what they do best… Producing and living as good Americans.
May you encounter good people today as well.
Best… Carolyn Thomas Temple
August 10, 2011 at 12:37 am |
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing!