Where Are My People?
The cows, the horses, the deer, and the wild turkeys are my people, but where are my people-people?
Our nearest neighbor has a sign in his front yard that reads, “Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be shot again.” When we encountered him walking his scruffy little dog down the dirt road, he scooped the bundle into his arms. Oh my goodness! he said. I’m so sorry my dog barked at your dogs. We’d love for y’all to come over for dinner. Stop by ANYTIME!
Do you think he’ll shoot us? Stan asked as we rounded the bend.
On my first trip to Food Lion, one of the two grocery stores just outside of this little rural town, I brought my oversized, reusable rainbow, IKEA bag in hopes it would be a silent signal to attract my people. No one took the bait.
And I was so excited to meet a former social worker from VCU who almost moved to Asheville, but chose Middlesex County instead. Thank you, Jesus I thought until she told me her political stance. Oh my God. Even the social workers out here are Republicans? And the hip little coffee shop downtown plays Fox News.
Surely this isn’t just Trump country but God’s country, too. The cows, the horses, the deer, and the wild turkeys are my people, but where are my people-people? I have a feeling I’m going to have to learn some horrible lesson like how to love everybody.
You’ve only been there two weeks, my therapist reminded me. You will find your people. In the meantime, I will try to be a good neighbor and thank God for my dearly beloved friends and family in my heart wherever I go.
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Valley, what a creative way to try to find people by using your rainbow bag! Keep it up! We are here for you and will always love you and I know you’ll find some of your people people!!
Exactly how I felt when I got to Virginia 6 years ago!! But your people are out there. Magical people are never obvious. You will find each other. I would focus on your land, which probably has some amazing old trees, faeries and it’s own unique imprints. You can do an equinox fire ceremony!!!