My Hometown

I took a seat near the center aisle for a fast getaway. I didn’t like Math, but I was early, waiting for class to start. I planned to stay not a nanosecond after the bell rang. A freshman in my first college Math class, I was sure I wanted a fast getaway. Dr. Moye gathered his materials from the lectern, making room for the next professor. As he shuffled down the aisle, he stopped at my desk. He could tell I was a freshman, for I was wearing the requisite  freshman beanie. 

He: “Well, young man, what is your Name?

Me: “Willis Moore.”

He:  “Mr. Moore, where are you from?”

Me:  “Sandersville”

He:  “Are you from the town of Sandersville, or from a nearby town, Riddleville, or Warthen, or Oconee?”

I knew he had my number, now. He knew these little towns in Washington County. So I spoke up.

Me:” I’m actually from Deepstep“.

He: “ Oh yes! Deepstep. I’ll bet you got Kaolin all over your britches, sliding down those chalk banks! ” He took an attentive pause, then said, “Mr. Moore, always say where you’re really from. It will help you identify yourself. It’s your hometown, so speak up for it.” 

I never forgot Mr. Moye’s admonition. Not only has it helped me identify myself, but also often prompts interesting conversation. When I say, “I’m from Deepstep!”, it is not unusual for someone to respond with a connection with, or knowledge of, Deepstep; a relative lived(s)there, they knew or know someone from Deepstep or they have worked in, delivered to, had business in, or was in college with someone from Deepstep.

Yep, college.  I can count among my relatives, natives of Deepstep, over a half dozen doctors, not to mention the number of teachers, and other folk who also went to college. And, there are numbers of others, just flat out good folks….like the smokers and chefs for BBQ dinners provided for the United Methodist Children’s Home in Macon, GA, or leaders in the Oconee Area Outreach Ministry. The Deepstep Methodist Church produced five Ordained ministers from its membership, and one ministerial student who died while in college. The population of Deepstep was 139 when I lived there; I left for college and the population dropped to 138.

More often than not, when you ask a person where they are from, they name the biggest or most recognizable town/city nearby as their hometown. Sometimes, just for fun, I tell people, “I’m not really from Deepstep; actually I’m from Goat Town. Most folks don’t know where that is, so I name the largest town nearby, which is Deepstep.” However you say your hometown, it seldom fails to be a conversation starter. I find it interesting that God calls people into service, often from small places; Gideon from the Tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe; The Prophet, Amos, a sheepherder and dresser of Sycamore trees from Tekoa, and—-from Nazareth, Jesus

So, I say, take note; however small, distant, or or apparently obscure you may think your hometown is, claim it. It uniquely, is yours. You are likely to find all kinds of-possibilities there. Just look! Your hometown produced you! And as Mr. Rogers said, “You are Special!”