By Beverly Hobbs Shea
There really is a lot to be said for living in a small community. True, there can be various challenges in many regards, but by and large, little compares to being a local resident. The phrase “It takes a village” is so true – for without a common commitment to a special way of life in a special place, there would be no cohesion and no unity – call it a tie that binds, whether spoken or unspoken. It manifests in the opportunities that foster community.
Yes, there are many noble causes being championed and heralded, a rotation of many fine and available venues, and a common spirit of generosity. The best thing is that it is genuine! From the shopkeepers and restaurants to the service providers, the love of community permeates and comforts.
I have a dear friend who lives on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. She calls it a “cow town” that grew and is still expanding and prospering. Since there is so much history to the city, the various areas each have their own distinct flavor and culture – over the years, we’ve spoken of the similarities between our “big city” (NOLA) and her “cow town.” Throughout the course of our friendship, we’ve kept up with one another’s moves, housing choices, and how they’ve reflected our own personal life changes and choices.
When I moved from close to the lake to just outside Covington and then to downtown Covington, she noted that there was a contentment and satisfaction that she hadn’t noticed before. When she visited at Thanksgiving recently, we walked the streets, visited the stores and restaurants, farmer’s market, etc., and she helped deepen my respect and affection for my riverside town. She remarked that she could see why I chose to live on the Northshore and why I chose Covington.
I took the compliment.
