It Takes a Village

I have the privilege of living in a small town, the kind of small town where you know your neighbor, need to be good at keeping a confidence and have a few good casserole recipes in your wheelhouse.

Recently I attended the funeral of a woman who grew up in this small town. She married, raised a family, and truly lived a life full of contentment, accomplishment, sorrow, pain and joy. At 104 she still looked fabulous in her tasteful Ferragamo flats and cashmere sweaters.

When I first moved here, we were summoned to a cocktail hour at her home. The grand dame herself wanted to know just whom my husband had married and brought back to this little Delta town. I will never forget that night. It was as if we were back in the era where manners were as important as a hat and gloves. I was amazed at the library and the books I found therein.

While sitting at her service, it occurred to me that it is possible to notice the small things – to read interesting books, try new things, make a difference in the life around you. As I listened to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren regale a life well lived, I thought to myself what a simple thing it is to love what you do, to make life interesting and to love the people in your life with wild abandonment.

You might say it’s not so simple, and I agree, but when you cut through the minutia of daily life and ask yourself if this will matter in 3 days, 3 months or 3 years, it’s then simple to find your footing.

May we all be lucky enough to live to be a ripe old age and have the beautiful things we did stay with those we love.

-Liz