“In a small town, tragedies hit you hard. Harder than you would think. It messes with people. Their emotions are toyed with. When it hits so close to home it breeches the secure boundary we make for ourselves, we are overwhelmed. The warm security blanket we draped over ourselves is snatched right off our warm bodies. A sheet of ice replaces our soft, warm sheath. We didn’t expect this. No one did.” –KendraGC
Small towns in the South seem to be a conglomerate of every type of person imaginable, all of whom share the same sentiments when touched by a common event. I don’t think that it is a coincidence that conglomerate is also a term used when referring to a type of rock that consists of several small granules and pebbles to form one strong, solid body. Each small stone is unique and much different from the rest, but, like small-town people, they all come together to form a single unit that is not easily broken.
As these many pieces become one body, the members of small towns tend to react in a similar manner as their neighbors. The stereotype that everybody knows everybody is pretty darn accurate, and relationships are like a complex web. This results in the fact that there is no way for a given situation to only affect one person, or a small portion of the town because we are all in this together. Thus, in times of joy, everyone celebrates, but in times of tragedy, there is no mistaking the sheer ache found in the hearts of each community member.
Difficult times can provoke feelings of fear, anger, and frustration within individuals. But rather than allowing these emotions to create a division amongst each other, these communities come together in love and prayer to form a bond like no other. No matter how devastating a situation may be, the town will become one united front with the singular goal of loving and supporting one another as everyone tries their best to find peace and healing.
As strange as this may sound, there is an undeniable comfort that can be found in a small town struck by tragedy. We are all hurting together, and the immense love and care that are the root of such a deeply-cutting pain gushes out and spreads like wildfire from person to person. Not a single soul can possibly feel alone in a time of trial, even if they are over 1,000 miles away from this beloved place (I can attest to this from my personal experience). We do not have the answers to all of our many questions, but there is no questioning the rock-like strength that can be found in these communities and their residents when confronted by a crisis.
Unfortunately, small towns are all too familiar with tragedy, loss, and grief. Our communities are aware of the pain and hurt felt when one of our own is suffering, and each consecutive time the wounds are just as fresh and deep. However, what allows our large family to get through all of this is our strength that comes from a true sense of solidarity. No one could handle these situations without God and their neighbors, or fellow pieces of the rock that forms the foundation of our towns.
I am truly sorry if you can relate to this at all, because that means that you have gone through an extremely difficult experience, and carry the weight of that on your heart. My only hope is that you are from a small town that is as genuinely loving, supporting, and steadfast as mine. Then you will be able to find the warm blanket of comfort and security once again with the help of God’s gentle hand and the strength of your neighbors.
