homesick
If you were to drive through Tahoka, Texas one of the following thoughts might come to mind: Who lives in this god-forsaken town? or Is this place officially recognized by the government as a town? or Only one stoplight? Your kidding, right? or The landscape of this place is flatter than... or Wow, pathetic!Those thoughts are understandable for one who simply drives through Tahoka but if you've spent time in Tahoka then you know why those of us who live far away sometimes get homesick for it.
I particularly miss hanging out at my mom's and dad's house. They always have candy around the house and it's practically guaranteed that mom will make either popcorn balls, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, hungarian coffee cake or sugar cookies with icing. And when we do actually have meals we eat mom's specialties: chicken fried steak, fried chicken or tacos. It's understood that any fast or diet is forgotten about when visiting Tahoka. I miss mom's and dad's backyard, too. It's an oasis. I miss jumping off the roof into the pool and I miss late night dips in the hottub. I miss swinging on the porchswing looking out into the star-filled sky. I miss dad's cable. He has every channel ever dreamed of and mom's DVD collection is sure to please. When we visit Tahoka it's always relaxing.
I was so ready to leave Tahoka after I graduated high school but I now see the value in the life that people live there. You're greeted with a smile and called by name at the grocery store. (Yes, there's only one.) The entire town gets behind the high school athletic teams. It's still the kind of place where kids can play in the front yard without much supervision. Not many folks are in a hurry there.
So here I am at 32 years of age sitting in my Brooklyn apartment homesick for a tiny town in west Texas. Sound crazy? Maybe. But if you ever find yourself driving through Tahoka my mom and dad would love to have you over. But be forewarned, you'll find yourself so relaxed that you won't want to leave.
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posted by jch at
8:23 PM
9 Comments:
"it's guaranteed that any fast or diet is forgotten about when visiting Tahoka"--Brent and I visited his parents in Carrollton during Lent this year, and it was so hilarious to me to watch him try to not-refuse chocolate cake after dinner. The conversation went something like, "Do you want some cake?" "Mom, I wouldn't say no to the cake if you brought me some, but I'm not asking for it..."
Home is always home, no matter how long ago or far away it is. The M'boro is that for me, even though I moved away when I was 14.
Joe Clyde, I once read that "we spend the first half of our lives trying to get away from 'home' and the last half trying to get back 'home.'" So just as I yearn for the den at 701 E. N. 14th in Abilene where I grew up, I understand your yearning for Tahoka.
You're right in that sometimes it's hard to see the good in a place where there's "nothing to do." But I watched Christians of different backgrounds come together last night for high school baccalaureate, and was so proud of the Christians who make up "Tahoka's part of this world" and their faithfulness and love for each other.
As I watched kids in graduation caps and gowns that I "helped raise (during middle school)," I wondered how long it would take some of them to appreciate the value of their raising....in this small town, in their respective homes, and in their relationship to God. And then, surprise of all surprises, I can't tell you how many of those kids asked about Ira and wanted to know if he was better. A couple of them told me they are continuing to pray for him "all the time."
And tomorrow morning a group of Christian women will come together at 6:00 a.m. to watch God's sun rise (THANK GOD HIS SON ROSE) and hear the birds sing and feel the gentle breeze as we sing, "How Great Thou Art." Oh, sometimes I get weary of my own selfishness in our small part of the world, but God truly lives in the hearts of those of us (even in Tahoka) who seek a relationship with Him!
Son, you can't imagine how homesick I am for you....and Katie...and Jackie....and Laura...and Lance...and Ryan...and those precious children that you and God have blessed us with. God has given us some pretty tough stuff to handle in the last few years. I pray for our granddaughter's autism and for our grandson's adoption and for Ira's health....just as I pray that our other grandsons and granddaughter continue to enjoy good health as He wills. And when I get really down and have a "crying day" (some of my friends know what I'm referring to here), I am leaning heavily on God's promise in Proverbs 3: (paraphrased) "Trust in God. Don't try to understand God's ways. Acknowledge God in everything you do...and HE will take care of everything!"
My prayer today is that the Holy Spirit wrap His loving arms around you and Laura and Sophia and Ira and everyone who needs a hug today and just hangs on to you until you feel peace and joy and love in whatever circumstances you find yourself in!
That reminds me that some say that Paul never lived in Texas because he wrote that he was content in whatever state he lived in!
One other thought, when your Dad and I were going to move to Tahoka, I knocked on Mabel McGinty's door and said, "Do you have a cup of coffee for someone who knows your grandson (Kirk Woltman)?" She replied, "I don't know who you are, but any friend of my grandson is a friend of mine." And she invited me in and we stayed very good friends for many wonderful years. So if any of Ira's friends ever want to stop by or stay awhile in Tahoka, I hope they know that "any friend of Ira's is a friend of mine." We're always good for at least a peanut butter sandwich in this part of the country.
Love you, Son, and God bless you.
Mom
Hmmm. Do you mean that? They'd love to have us? 'Cause we're heading to Colorado in a month, and had planned on spending the night in Amarillo on the way... but if your folks would love to have us, we might veer toward Tahoka instead. Hee! :)
We can attest to the good food at Joe and Glo's home, when we stayed a night in Tahoka on our way from seminary back to Washington state. Tacos were on the menu at the Hays' home that night, but because Rhyan mentioned something about not ever having had chicken fried steak before (growing up in Washington) Glo right away got cooking on her famous chicken fried steak. We loved our first experience with chicken fried steak!!
We also got to enjoy the relaxation of the swimming pool and were told the story of Joe and his friends jumping off of the roof. I think I remember that Rhyan wanted to try it, but I thought that was ridiculous!!
I also remember that right before we pulled into Tahoka, Rhyan had gotten a speeding ticket. He was so upset and right away asked your parents if he could borrow their computer so he could write his letter of appeal for the ticket!! They obliged, but the ticket was not taken off of his record!!
No matter how big or small the city is that we live in, it is the people and the hospitality that make the difference. It is our relationship with others that makes a place a great place to be. We remember that at seminary with you and Laura. I remember the many evenings that one of us had cooked dinner and decided we wanted to enjoy it with friends and within 5 minutes you were either in our apartment or we were at yours. Thanks for sharing your lives with us then...and now.
Much love,
Kari
I can only imagine how beautiful Glo and Joe's backyard is. I was at Hudman's nursery the other day picking out plants and saw a multitude of hanging baskets and pots roped off. I asked about them and Suzanne told me they were all for Joe and Glo Hays. Well, Glo and Joe didn't get all the pretty flowers from Hudmans. Believe it or not, I got some for my backyard as well.
Glo, as far as you yearning for 701 EN 14th, Abilene, I do believe that is right across the street from my dad's house, or within a block if it.
Stacy, I'm sure that wherever you are coming from, Tahoka is on the way to Colorado. We'd love to have you. How do I get you my phone number without the whole internet world having access to it?
Glo
I need a tissue...
You know Joe, it's balance. With all the crap I dealt with after my divorce going home centered me. I try to go once every two months and the flight takes 3 hours but the moment I get off the plane it gives me a feeling I get with worship. I'm home. It's where I need to be. I know it shouldn't be the same but it is, the Spirit makes my mind clearer there.
We used to live in Kahoka, MO. There is only one stoplight there. The librarian used to call me and tell me she had a book I might like. If you forgot your credit card, you could come back the next day and pay for your gas. Small town pleasures that you miss when you move to the big city.
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