I've been planning a move to the other side of our state for awhile now. Nothing is finalized, but should all go well, relocation is happening this summer. Every time a local friend meets the news of our impending move, I feel a little pang of frustration.
See, it takes me awhile to get comfortable somewhere. A true military brat, I never bothered with things like "settling down" and "establishing roots" somewhere. I became old friends with the fear of being the new kid every August. I'd walk in the classroom - always late, because new kids can never be on time! - and pause in the doorway thinking "I am really gonna pee my pants this time". When I met my husband, he wasn't interested in leaving Rhode Island. Like, ever. "Rhode Island is the greatest state in the country!" he'd say in his [adorable] New England accent. "You got mountains, you got ocean, you got the four seasons here ... what else d'ya need?". My answer was always the same, "I don't know .... something".
Here in North Carolina, the natives seem to have a true sense of community. Neighbors wave while passing by. They recommend their teenage sons to mow your lawn or put out the garbage cans on Friday. Gaggles of kids whiz down the asphalt on their bikes, off on their Saturday adventures. The sidewalks are cheerfully littered with chalk art; an after school group effort, letting us all know that BEN WUZ HEER, with your kids and their kids and those other kids from a block away.
See, it takes me awhile to get comfortable somewhere. A true military brat, I never bothered with things like "settling down" and "establishing roots" somewhere. I became old friends with the fear of being the new kid every August. I'd walk in the classroom - always late, because new kids can never be on time! - and pause in the doorway thinking "I am really gonna pee my pants this time". When I met my husband, he wasn't interested in leaving Rhode Island. Like, ever. "Rhode Island is the greatest state in the country!" he'd say in his [adorable] New England accent. "You got mountains, you got ocean, you got the four seasons here ... what else d'ya need?". My answer was always the same, "I don't know .... something".
Here in North Carolina, the natives seem to have a true sense of community. Neighbors wave while passing by. They recommend their teenage sons to mow your lawn or put out the garbage cans on Friday. Gaggles of kids whiz down the asphalt on their bikes, off on their Saturday adventures. The sidewalks are cheerfully littered with chalk art; an after school group effort, letting us all know that BEN WUZ HEER, with your kids and their kids and those other kids from a block away.
When we lose someone, the local churches organize candlelight vigils and visitors to stock your freezer with casseroles. Facebook pages spread the word on whose kid has run away, or needs help, or just won a scholarship. Firemen will host a breakfast benefit for a family whose child is battling cancer. Girl Scouts will dance around their cookie table to raise money for a dog park. Incredibly perceptive teens will raise public awareness of the financial needs at orphanages in our area.
Those are the good bits, the pieces I'll be packing away with all the cardboard boxes now taking up residence in the garage.
Strange how large of an impact such a small group of people can have.
Those are the good bits, the pieces I'll be packing away with all the cardboard boxes now taking up residence in the garage.
Strange how large of an impact such a small group of people can have.