Before moving to Colorado, John and I lived in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Arkadelphia is a small town in the south central part of the state. It is home to two colleges, one of which is Ouachita Baptist University. John and I met while students there, and that place is very special and sentimental to us. Imagine how thrilled we were several years later when John was called to pastor a church in that little town we loved so much.
We spent 3.5 years in Arkadelphia, and have so many happy memories.
Milkshakes at Malone's, Wednesday night church suppers, Friday night football games, and OBU games on Saturdays, pounding the pavement with my running friends, Christmas and Homecoming parades, amazing neighbors, college students and college ministry, Lake Degray, the pumpkin patch at the Hunter Christmas tree farm, Adult 6 Sunday school, and Bunco were among some of my most favorite things.
I also loved that going to the grocery store took about 2 hours...because you'd run into so many people. It wasn't just a shopping experience, it was a social outing. Seriously. I loved driving through the bank and having the teller greet me by name, and hand me things like a laminated newspaper photo of one of my kids, or have the lady at the pharmacy ask how Will's bronchitis was. I loved driving around town and waving at people I knew. Loved going to Burger Barn and chit-chatting with a dozen or so friends before being seated at my own table. Loved watching friends' children grow from toddlers to kindergartenters right before my very eyes. You know, small town things like that.
And the people. Wow, what can I say? We were so blessed by the way people loved us.
It was heartbreaking when we moved from there. I remember thinking that I could live in Arkadelphia and be perfectly happy for the rest of my days. When John first started talking with his friend about moving to Colorado, I was so resistant. Wouldn't even hear of it. Over time God softened my heart, and now I really can't imagine NOT living here. But that doesn't diminish my love for a certain small town in Arkansas. It will always hold a special place in my heart.
I've experienced some small town livin' here. I usually always see someone I know at the grocery store. And I wave from my van when I pass friends on the street. Last week when I was walking on the trail, I passed 3 people I knew. But it doesn't feel quite the same.
So, all you friends in Arkadelphia...you're missed! And I love that you live in such a beautiful place. I miss sharing life and memories with you. A part of my heart will always be there.
BUT...I'm blessed to get to see THIS everyday! So I can't really be too sad. By the way, that's Pikes Peak and the snow I told you she was wearing last week was gone within a day or two.
7 comments:
Hi Mer... You didn't suggest bringing out the kleenex for this post. Words can't express how much I miss you and John along with your kiddos. One day, CO bound, but until then there is an ache in my heart.
Meredith,
Thanks for writing this. The place we live now, our small town, is what you've described A was for you--it's our community.
But as you said, CS isn't a bad place to end up, either! Oh, I miss that view--
You know what? I was feeling sentimental about our old small home town today, too. We should have talked on the phone and comisserated. It would have done me some good. Instead, I pulled out pictures for an hour or so.
thank for sharing your hometown experience...maybe I'll share mine sometime.
Love and prayers to you,
holly
Mer,
I loved reading your post. It was fun to read it and relive so much of it with you. We do have some great memories from you guys living here with us and that is one of the wonderful things about friendships--even though friends move they leave footprints on our hearts and we always have our memories to cherish of the time we spent together. It did make me a little teary eyed as I read your post. Preston still talks about missing you guys as do Garry and I :) We love you guys and are so happy you have such a beautiful place to live.
Joan
You described the little town we live in now. I even know the librarian and have called her on my way out of town asking for a good book to read. She had it at the front desk waiting for me when I arrived. Ah.. the comfortableness of small town life.
Bur as I've told you before, I can't get those Rockies out of my mind!
I'm almost in tears and so very glad we stopped in Arkado when we were in AR in May. It's the people that make the town so special! I've often told Joel I'd be thrilled if God moved us near Arkadelphia. Or my in-laws (who retire in 2 years), so I can visit regularly. = )
Somehow I just now found this post! Even though I was only in Arkadelphia for college, I will always love it. So many good memories. Like other commenters, I too would love to end up there someday! But for now I'm definitely learning about small town living here in Magnolia. And OBU homecoming is a WHOLE lot closer than when we lived in Idaho! :)
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