Southern Hospitality

Today’s happenings definitely need to be documented, for I experienced some truly southern encounters throughout the day.

First and foremost, my car broke down today. Something about the timing belt, I don’t know. So I had to pull over at the entrance of a neighborhood literally two minutes away from my house. Being surrounded by Southern hospitality, three people stopped to ask if I was alright. Each person was quite different. The first was a clergyman of some sort and he was very kind and made sure I had someone coming to help me. The second man was a little too friendly and literally said, “You alright? I was just drivin’ by and saw you and I always try to help y’all women folk when y’all are in a bind.” I couldn’t see any other teeth but his front two. But I told him I appreciated the offer but that I had a wrecker coming. A third man came by once I had some friends with me and we were looking under the hood. He stopped and turned his blue motorcycle off and asked what happened. I told him how everything locked up and he went on to explain what was probably wrong. I had no idea what he was talking about  but I told him I was thankful for his concern. The wrecker eventually got to where I was and I sadly stood and watched my car ride on the back of the wrecker, with a rosary swinging from the rear-view mirror.

I was further surrounded by the South’s greatness on my way home from youth group. My friend decided to blast the great Dolly Parton. She sang along and I smiled as Dolly’s voice drove us home.

These are random things, but they are events that have helped me realize how unique a life in Alabama is.