Growing up in a small town can help you learn to be resourceful. Just because your town and surrounding areas are not attracting droves of people or doesn't boast all the latest things to do, doesn't mean that you will lead a boring life there. In fact, life in my hometown as a boy was not boring at all.
I grew up on Rosedale Lane in Dawson Springs, Kentucky. I was just a quick bike ride away from several of my buddy's houses. Unless my parents had plans for the family on a certain summer day, I usually hit the road with my friends and found something to do. Racing down streets on our bikes, finding places to throw stones and talk about the future; we always managed to have a good time.
During those years we explored all the woods around town, the Mill Dam was always a good place to stop and fish or just pilfer about, and the Coal Chutes became very exciting for a period time. At night one of our Mom's would drive us over to Park Avenue to play kick the can in that neighborhood and then come back to pick us up around 10:30PM or so. On the days we roamed the streets on bikes it was nothing for us to stop off at one of my relatives or theirs for a soda and maybe a sandwich, if we were lucky. Even though we were heavily warned by our parent's not to wear out our welcome. But when we had, we could always hit up the pantry, the place, or the Dairy Queen, for something cold to drink and a snack. Ami and Gar, my Aunt and Uncle, helped us out on many of those snacks. Life was fun in our little town.
As we started driving we learned that circling the town square and the Dairy Queen was a good way to kill time and burn gas in our new rides. Luckily that got old after a while and we would find someplace around town to park and congregate. That's where we would talk about the latest or plan a trip to Madisonville or Princeton to see a movie or grab a bite to eat. We weren't bored during that period either. Just like any other place you live, you belong there, and nothing the law will allow seems limited. I certainly don't remember me or my friends complaining about the circumstances.
The funny thing is, as I am writing this entry I'm thinking about what a great childhood I had. Playing baseball in the summer at the park, swimming at the city pool or at Alex's, one of my best friends. Rushing home at dark to eat fried chicken or something hot off the grill. Whatever it was, it was sure to be good, and there was plenty of it.
Of course there were camps to attend, vacations to enjoy, nights spent at my Granny and Papaw's house that were always a treat. There were plenty of things that were added bonuses to an already fun filled life. All this makes it easy to understand why I find myself drifting back to that lush green town in my daydreams.
I grew up and graduated from the same school that my sister, my parents, and three out of four of my grandparents did. Now my nephew and niece, Cole and Sloane Parker are attending that same school. I passed notes in classes taught by teachers that knew everything about my family and my life. I went to church every Sunday and when we pulled up in our driveway we would see my Nannie's Oldsmobile backed into her spot, ready to take us out to the Hickory Pit for lunch.
All the memories and all the faces of a town full of stories and lives well lived. It just reminds me of growing up. Knowing that someone always had their eyes out for us boys as we were roaming. That if they had to, they would let us know if we stepped too far out of line. We waved at everyone as we passed by their houses, ladies watering their Geraniums, old men on their Snappers cutting grass, and sometimes we were coaxed into stopping and talking. It was all part of any given day. My sister and brother-in-law, Shannon and Steven's kids are enjoying those same kinds of days right now. I hope they know to soak it all in; because one day, they might be sitting in an office, when the weather is beautiful outside, dreaming of the days that were effortless and filled with adventure.
I live over nine hundred miles away from that little town right now and I'm still finding ways to have fun. When the sun is shining you can bet that I am going to try to get out in it. I think I learned to smell the roses back home in Dawson Springs; we all did.
Today I was scoping out things to do this weekend in Austin. I could never leave the city for the rest of my life and not run out of things to see and do. But guess what...as soon as I get the chance I am headed back to the Big Springs! I'll have some fried chicken with Mom and Dad and enjoy seeing all my family and friends there!
Now do you know what Miranda Lambert is talking about? Check out her song: Famous in a Small Town, included on her Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Album, you'll figure it out!
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