Privileged

I'm feelin' a little country tonight, so if you're so inclined, you're gonna read another down-home blog from me.

Where I'm from is considered an under-privileged area for various reasons, mostly concerning average income.
Being away from home for the last six months has been a lot of things for me. A good experience for me, good for my family, and fun. At the same time, it's been lonely, boring and stressful. Such is life I suppose... One thing that I have missed the most is high school basketball games. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I didn't care for high school. At all. And, I don't care for basketball that much to be honest. But I very much miss seeing familiar faces. It doesn't matter which side of the gym I sit on. I'm either staring at familiar faces on the other side, or I'm talking to a familiar face sitting next to me. In fact, at the last game I went to, I sat next to someone new but after introducing ourselves and talking for a few minutes, we realized that we're related. Not an uncommon occurrence.
This isn't limited to basketball games of course. I miss driving somewhere, anywhere and having every car wave to me. I miss passing by the cemetery and thinking about loved ones. (Does that sound creepy? It's not supposed to...) Country people love their animals, and I even miss seeing that old mule who is never fenced in and wanders around town. In Fort Morgan, it's funny to run for a pop and it only takes a couple of minutes. I miss going into the store and stopping to chat for at least half an hour with an old friend; or a new friend for that matter. What's really funny is that we don't seem to need to go on as many pop runs up here.
I don't want this post to be misunderstood. The people of Fort Morgan are literally some of the best people I have ever met. The kindness and friendliness we feel here is amazing. But it's not home.
There are specific people at home who hold a special place in my thoughts and my heart. They guided me through my youth and set the example I am still trying to live up to. They're the men in suits who juggle careers, family, and a full-time calling. And they do a dang good job. I look up to their wives who sacrifice time with their spouse for the advantage of their community. They fill in the cracks seamlessly and do it with joy. They do it with joy. I see them occasionally and even after years, they give me a hug and ask how me and my family are doing and if we need anything. The best thing is that it's not just talk, their offers for help are valid.
By the world's standards I am from an under-privileged area, but I feel pretty privileged.