I made the trip from Amarillo to Lubbock early one Saturday morning so I could meet with the Caprock Writers Alliance for their monthly meeting. We go through Lubbock on the way to see my folks but we rarely get off the interstate. Making my way through town to the Garden and Arts Center was only made possible by my phone’s GPS. The GPS in my truck took me to a trailer park outside of town. I stopped and put the address in my phone, and it took me right to the Center.
Every town needs a building like this Center. Its rooms may be rented for any kind of gathering. The writers group in Rapid City struggled to find a place to meet like that. Anyway … I walked into a large room with lots of chairs set up. The CWA is large and active. I knew several of them from the West Texas Writers Academy. Most I didn’t know, but they were all very friendly. After the meeting, a big bunch of us went to eat at a Mexican food restaurant that had a separate room for groups. I got to know several of the other writers and had good conversations over chips, salsa, and chimichangas.
Being accepted and warmly welcomed into a group has become common while we’ve been in Texas. The church we attend here has enveloped us like long-time attendees. I knew most of them already, but it wasn’t the same as being here all the time. Hubby and I feel like we’re part of this congregation now. It’s the good fellowship we’ll miss when we head back north. I’ll be looking forward to getting back to it when we come next winter.
Most people around here are considerate and kind. I get called “ma’am” a lot, and I love it. It’s a sign of respect (not age) and I appreciate that. The lady at the UPS store where we get our mail is very kind. She calls us by name and takes care of our needs. Conversations with strangers are easy.
Maybe that’s why I like it so much here. I blend in better. With the remnants of my Texas accents, I must seem like one of them. That isn’t to say the people of South Dakota aren’t friendly, but there are fewer “ma’ams” and conversations in lines while waiting. The scenery is a lot prettier up north though. My biggest problem here is I get lost in Amarillo often because I can’t figure out which direction I’m going. There are no landmarks to keep me on track. I’ve always lived in hilly or mountainous towns, and it was easy to tell. With all this flatness, it will take me a while to figure it out.
The main thing is to be content where you are, and I am. I’m blessed to have wonderful friends and family in the places we live and have lived. I don’t take any of them for granted.
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11
P.S. I don’t think the Apostle Paul is speaking of Texas or South Dakota (hahaha), although in my case it might apply. He means to be content with our condition.
But godliness with content is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. I Timothy 6:6-8