A Tale About Contrasts

Just having an opinion or two does not mean that one is opinionated. It's true that there have been things of which we have been falsely accused; but for me, stubbornness is not one of them. On the other hand, there are many things that we flatly reject or simply refuse to admit to. While sitting at the doctor's office waiting for my bride and watching many patients come and go, I began to MUSE. Let me just say that this is not meant to be a mini-tale about how, who, or why. Rather, it's more about TRANSITIONING and CONTRAST, and how we learn to thrive. My wife and I recently moved away from the capital city of one of the RICHEST states in America. We set up residence in the POOREST community, of the poorest county, of the poorest state in America. For more than two months now, this Central Southern Region has been our new home. I tell you, there has been MORE rain in the last couple of months than I have ever known. On the contrary, from where we moved away, for the longest time, there was far LESS rain than I had ever known. For the longest time, it seems that I never got through a winter without a cold. This winter, thanks be to God, found me free from cold or flu. The Spring skies are mostly blue, and the mornings are filled with dew. There are plenty of clouds that are white, and most days are fair but not always bright. In this rural farming area of beans, corn, and cotton, along many a countryside is abandoned trailer homes and blight. Poor community, poor county, poor state, and poverty are said to be their greatest enemies. I'm not certain that is true, and I do rather doubt it. I am a realist, but I have noticed a few things MUCH RICHER THERE than any place I have known. I also noticed that there are so few without MOBILITY, one of the greatest signs of a people proud and free. No. About facts and figures I am not confused. And yes. The reports seem real, but yet I MUSE about this state from which I moved for the first time more than 50 years ago. There's no denying the absence of prosperity for most, but still, I see so much HOPE, HOSPITALITY, and blessed LIBERTY. And of this I am certain: This old and new state of mine has a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STATE OF MIND. 042022PSCtest, Anything You Want, Chantelle Anne Cooke