When I was five years old I lived in Los Angeles, California. We didn’t have a lot of money then, and though I didn’t notice it at the time, I’ve since come to realize that we lived in a bad part of town.
Our apartments were a block away from motorcycle bars and a 7-11 that got robbed on a weekly basis. I was too young to be afraid for my life, per se, but I did carry a sense of caution. I remember seeing authorities discover a body wrapped in a rug out by a dumpster while I walked to kindergarten, and my mom made sure to enlist a measure of fear in me with tales of the “Puppy Dog Killer,” a serial kidnapper who lured unsuspecting children into his vehicle under the ruse of a dog stuck under the passenger seat.
All this to say that I have been outside of small town living. Even within the past ten years I lived right outside the Metro D.C. area, and I probably wouldn’t suggest walking there or Baltimore after dark. I was a sexual assault victim interventionist while stationed there, and I shudder at some of the stories I heard. I’ve lived in Chicago, and I’ve visited places like Manhattan. And while the crime rate of these places was high, I don’t recall hearing people discuss their fear of leaving their homes.
When I moved back down South after a decade in big cities I was in shock. It was so different! But in a good way. It felt like home. It felt like a tight-knit area with a grand sense of community, and though folks probably knew more about your business than you cared for them to know, it was cool to be known. It was cool to be cared about. I felt safe.
Recently there have been reports of criminal activity in my small town. There’s always been a bit here and there, but it has seemed like more lately. Recent violence and subsequent deaths have left people uneasy, and I can understand that.
Small towns have always been pretty good at getting news out. Word of mouth travels as the crow flies, and although it’s usually pretty convoluted by the time it gets from point A to point B, it typically dies down by week’s end. Southern folks don’t put much stock in rare occurrences of violence gone wrong, and they tend to lean more on their own understanding of how life should be lived. How they want to teach their family to live. That sense of community stays strong, people band together, and solutions are made. That’s why I love the South.
The typical place to hear gossip used to be while getting your hair done at the local salon, while waiting on a prescription at the mom and pop drug store, or as you sat for coffee at the diner downtown. Now it’s social media. Information travels faster. The correct story is received, but sadly so is false information. But what spreads faster than a link to the actual news story is fear. Fear spreads like wildfire. Always has. Now it just has the accelerant of social networking sites.
I’ve seen a lot of violence in my short thirty-seven years, and I’ve been halfway across the world and back, but that exposure to big city crime isn’t what makes me shake my head lately over proclamations of fear made by others. And though I believe in my heart that our wonderful small town is still a great place to live it’s not that certainty that pushes me to still take my children to the park. Even as I stand in support and pride of our local law enforcement and all their hard work it’s not that specifically that sets my heart and mind at ease.
When you allow the bad to keep you from doing good you might as well crawl under a rock. When you surrender to the fear of violence and bullies you become a victim unaware. When you hide in your supposed fortress of safety you are letting evil win. When you allow fear of circumstances beyond your control to in essence have control of your emotional stability then you have lost. You will never be safe.
I work for a boss who controls the streets, and He also controls my life. He gives me wisdom to not place myself or my family in dangerous circumstances, but He doesn’t give me a spirit of fear. He protects me and mine when my own wisdom fails me, and I place my complete trust in Him alone. Not circumstances, especially not those I cannot change.
It is human nature to be afraid, but it is also possible to trust in a power higher than yourself. And in that there is peace.
We can stand up in courage that our God is in control. We can band together in strength of mind, unity of spirit, and heartfelt prayer and intercession for our fine city. We can be repairers of the breach.
Isaiah 58:12
Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.
If you want my opinion I still think we live in a great city. I feel happy, safe, and blessed to raise a family here. When pesky trouble tries to rock my boat I won’t let it. I know where I have come out of, and I know where God has placed me now. I trust Him in that. It’s a good place. A safe place. And as a side note I certainly haven’t seen a body rolled up in a rug lately.
Heather says
Today was the first time I’ve read any of your writings. And I must say this one is a breath of fresh air! Thank u n keep up the good work!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much.
ina says
This was awesome!! Made my day..
Thank you!!
Carrie corbin says
I dont know you, but i like you and im proud to know someone else feels like i do!! Thanks!!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you! And thanks for commenting.
howard Bowles says
great article. I grew up in Corinth. I remember I could not wait to leave. I now have lived in Deland (Orlando) Florida, Tallahassee, Jackson, Denver, Atlanta, and Baltimore. With the exception of Denver, Corinth is the best place I’ve lived. It is safe and the folks are salt of the earth. Great articles, glad I came upon it.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much! Glad it found you!
Scott J says
Very nice read Brie! First article of yours I’ve read from start to finish. I’m proud to call you a friend and a Sister In Christ.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you very much!
Veronica says
Love this! I was raised in Walnut, a hop skip & jump away from Corinth. I grew up hearing “we’re going to town today so be ready after school.” (Town being Corinth) I would get so excited! So much that I moved here in December. Recent crimes might have me on edge some days, but the homey feeling has never went away. I’m very proud to say I live in Corinth. It’s a wonderful, friendly town that I’m quite comfortable with! I have a 3yr old daughter and can’t wait to introduce her to our little town, our little piece of southern heaven!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you for commenting. Glad you’ve made Corinth home.
meltedflowers aka amy garren says
Amen! I love alcorn county…I was born and raised in Ocala, Florida…it used to be a small place but the years took toll and drugs and Yankees (sorry yanks..don’t know what else to call ya.. don’t take offense) and rich Dmitry folks that bought up land us natives loved and pushed us to greener pastures….I have been all over Florida..seen and heard stuff that would make a cow cry..played in swamps and dabbled in the art of being bad….rejected by family from both sides and no sense if belonging I wanted a better life for my kids..when the housing market fell and real estate investment was a thing of the past,we went to where my husband was born…where mom was raised..east Tennessee..while that is another topic for another day about the culture shock and lessons learned…I seen so much crime in Knoxville..although we lived north thirty minutes in a small town..all major life had to be done in the city. Gun crime and drugs made Florida seem mild…although of course it was not..it is just human nature to want to go back when things get tough to what we know….One day I hit black ice and my world changed….I found God one day and began a change for a better life….when my cousin killed herself and we moved mom with us..while we were at the funeral there was a murder next door…we had enough..we moved to here..where the one I claim as dad..the one who is dad ..(not the one who was married to my mother) led me to…this town is worth loving it is worth fighting for and it is beautiful. I have no desire to live anywhere else. I know the bad times will pass, and this will cause the community to be more aware and stronger in the end. Love all your writings, Brie
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Sherry Fowler says
I love your description of “our” small town, it touches a place in my soul. It is almost identical, in a larger part, at least, on other blogs I have commented on. While I’ve not nearly as travelled as you, quite the contrary, I’ve always lived in a small town. From Tennessee to Mississippi, but, like you, never in all my many moves over the years have I ever found a place where I feel such a sense of belonging & homecoming & I’m not quite sure I could glean those feelings from any random town anywhere else. From the time my family & I moved here some 16 some odd years ago, I have been made to feel “at home” here. I feel a sense of belonging & while I’m very quiet by nature, I’ve met a multitude of folks that I’m proud to call friends. People help people here & yes there are those & always will be, here & everywhere, that will snub their nose at you. I pay them no mind as I know that god made us both & in His eyes we are all His children. There is bad (and good alike!), all over the world , what seperates small towns & most small town people, especially in the Bible belt of the deep south is they’re willingness to pull together to lend a hand to help, lend an ear to listen & a voice to pray for those in need. I’m also a proud Corinthian! God bless.!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much for commenting!