“W”abash Valley Life
This photo of a farmer filling up his tractor at the gas pump is just one image that portrays life in the Wabash Valley, which I have truly come to appreciate.
Obviously, we’re not all farmers. However, there is a practicality and down-to-earth nature among the residents that make it a comfortable place to live. Neighborhoods truly support each other as the people who work at Big Lots, Baesler’s grocery store and Family Video, also live in the area.
In these tough economic times, things are definitely not “slower” in a smaller town. In fact, many people I know work two jobs or have both parents in a household employed just to pay the bills. I appreciate a strong work ethic – I inherited mine from my dad. My first job was a food server at the local cafeteria in Denver. I was only 15 (I fibbed and said I was 16 – my birthday was just a few months away!)
Before my mom passed away, she would comment that she wished she’d made more friends since moving to Terre Haute. Yet, she made quick friends with her neighbors (Saully becoming one of her closest and dearest), and the people at Burger King, Big Lots, the bank, the vet and puppy groomer – she got to know everyone and they knew her by name. You don’t find that often in the hustle and bustle of larger cities.
There is a trust among people here that I admire as well. Joe forgot his wallet one time when he went to pick up his shoes from the shop. The owner gave him his shoes and asked that he pay him when he was in the area next time. The odds were good that Joe went by the same day to pay him, not because it was close-by but because the man was so nice to him.
The other day I drove across the bridge over the Wabash River on my way to work and I felt the “comfortableness of home” settle into my heart. Having lived my entire previous 42 years of life in Denver was a hard act to follow. I told hubby Joe about this over the weekend. He reminded me that most times what God has in store for our lives is so much better than what we can envision. Thanks, God!
