Last week I shared a video I made of my hometown and the surrounding small towns in the county. I made that video for me, myself, and I. It was just something I wanted to do, so I did it knowing I could re-watch it over and over if I was ever missing home. I almost decided not to share it on any type of platform. No YouTube, no Facebook, nothing. I didn’t think it was good enough to share and I left some small towns out since I didn’t have enough time to get to them recorded. I had made the video for myself and I didn’t want any criticism from it since I typically criticize my work enough on my own.
My sweet husband and parents wanted me to share it anyways. A few days after I finished the video, I posted it. Guess what??? PEOPLE LOVED IT. I was getting tagged in so many shares that it was trending on my Facebook so I could see what people I didn’t even know were saying about it. It was crazy amazing and also a little weird.
I read so many comments that touched my heart. Here are just a few…
“Thanks for making us so proud with this video! Two out of the three weeks has had me out of the state. My buddy, Joe Holmes, shared this with me. I’ll be home in two days. It’s funny, just a week away at a time and I start to miss it. I’m out in the Mildred/Eureka area. God bless ya! We’ll be glad to have y’all back! Safe travels, best wishes and God’s grace on ya!” – JustHuntVids
“Wow I didn’t know I ever missed home. What a rush of emotions to someone who’s never looked back.” – Jason D Hussey
These are my old stomping grounds! Where I grew up. Where I learned about loving your neighbors and having compassion for all living creatures. About taking it slow and appreciating all the little thing. The circle of life. I know those backroads like I know every freckle on my body! #CountryGirlAtHeart #NeverForgetYourRoots” – April Day
“23 years since I’ve seen this. A lot of good memories.” – Jason Chastain
“My hometown. It’s not much. But it’s mine. I have been telling my friends here I cannot wait to just drive around there this summer!” – Amber Morris
“Thanks for sharing, makes me think of Grandma and your mom. Baseball, Bancroft for Pecans, Collins street bakery. Thunderstorms, Bluebonnet fields and sky stretched over the open roads that go on forever. And those Damn Fireants.!!!” – Terry L. Paul
“Never thought I’d miss it as much as I do at times! Can’t wait to be back next month even if it’s only for a week!” – Ian Michael O’Corrigan
“If your not home sick already you will be by the end of the video!!!” – Billy Newland
Before you get out of there you more than likely associate where you’re from with a hell hole. Once you leave, and I mean really leave, you realize that EVERY place has problems, EVERY place has something about it you won’t like, and EVERY OTHER place is definitely not home. For my county, there’s the dreaded idea that you MIGHT have to attend Navarro College. I did it and it was one of the best semesters I’ve had since being in college. For my county, there’s been some crappy football and then there’s been some really, really good football that united a whole town. For my county, there are terrible roads, but some pretty nice people. Every place has trade offs. Every place has pros. Every place has cons. There is nothing like home. Whether you stay for good, whether you leave for good, or whether you leave and come back, it stays with you forever. Be proud. Own it. Be thankful for it.
I’m just here to say… it’s funny that I didn’t feel like sharing a video that touched more people than I imagined it would. If you ever have an idea to do something and feel iffy about it… do it anyways. You never know who you will inspire or who you will touch. There will be people who hate it and people who love it. All that matters is you put your whole heart into it. If you do that then you know what you did was good and perfect enough for you and those who care about it with you.
Happy Tuesday, y’all!
Here is the video if you’re interested in getting a glimpse of my hometown… <3
