I love Bethel....Let me tell you why! It is because Bethel has all the things that this world needs and has gotten away from. That is porches, backyards and neighborhood roads.
Today was a lazy day. I went to church, which by the by was great. We had Police and Firefighter Appreciation Day. Went out to eat then came home and napped for a while. But it is what we did later that makes me write this now.
I took the boys over to one of their friends to play. My two boys, along with 4 of their friends jumped on the trampoline, danced, wrestled, and just had boy fun. It took me back to the days when me and my neighborhood boys would play all afternoon long. Chris, Phillip and I would play army and football until it got dark and we had to come home. You just cant get that in the city!
On the way home, we saw people, neighborhood folk if you will, sitting on the porch, talking and watching the sun go down. Like clock work, there were the Mannings riding their bikes through the neighborhood. If you dont see both or at least one of them riding everyday during good weather, they are either out of town or have company! There was Mr. Bob, walking Bailey (his dog); Mr Eldon and Mrs. Rachel walking down the road, waving hello to everyone who walked by...and did I say they are at least in their 70s. I joked with Mrs. Rachel that it was getting dark and to make sure Mr. Eldon did not lead her down a dark road and try to sneak a kiss! Our preacher, Heath, his wife and kids, Leann, Joshua and little Savannah were out for a evening stroll...and I do mean stroll. Joshua is about 3 and Savannah was just born this summer. They were stopping along the way to talk to people in their yards and then would again start their journey around the block. Kids, filling the streets on their bikes, and like me in days of old waiting for their moms to call them home.
Now maybe I am wrong, but that is what we need more of...no I am not wrong! That is small town; the atmosphere we have lost as "progress" has taken over. I know that there are neighborhoods in big towns, but there is something about living in a small town. So what that we have to drive to the next town for a grocery store...it is only 5 minutes down the road. You have to do that in the city and fight traffic. No traffic jams here...unless Mr. Crawford is moving a tractor from one field to another or the train catches you.
So when things get too fast for you, and you need to just slow down, come see us in Bethel...if you lived here, you would be home by now!
