The Simple Life
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Over the past few weeks Kara and I have traveled a bit more than usual, specifically to Longview and Dallas. My uncle has been in the hospital and last week we thought it was his time to go, but thankfully, God had other plans. he is doing well and is living in Longview with my folks.
On the way down this past weekend we stopped at what some might refer to as a “county store”. It was a log-style building that offered everything from gasoline to fishing lures, and I couldn’t help but get lost in the moment. How simple life must have been for people just 50 years ago. Stores such as this were the norm, and Wal-Marts had yet to appear, so many of the clerks were indeed the owners, and would call you by name each time you entered.
When I pulled in to the gravel parking lot, I noticed a man sitting on an old wooden church pew which was now a makeshift bench outside of the building. He was wearing denim suspenders, a tractor hat, and large frame glasses. The USA Today was open to the sports section and he didn’t even look up when I pulled my vehicle within a few feet of him. I sat in the van and just watched him for a few minutes, immediately envious of this man who didn’t seem to have a care in the world. No cell phone on his belt. No satchel near is feet. Nothing but the paper, and a pen that sat neatly tucked in to his center pocket.
I would eventually approach my new idol and introduce myself. He was more than friendly, not stopping until I finally told him I had to leave about 20 minutes later. We talked about the weather, his children, our home towns, and How much Hwy 59 had changed over the past 20 years, which now connects Longview, TX to Heavner, OK. Eventually I gathered up the courage to ask if I could photograph him. When he asked why, I explained that I found it fascinating that in a world that moves 1000 miles per hour, he seemed to be cruising comfortably at 35. His response was worth the 20 minute detour in my tight schedule:
“No- I don’t carry a cell phone. Well, I have one, but I don’t ever use it‚Ķ I guess it’s there in case I should ever need it, but I don’t. I don’t need it, truth be told. I don’t need a computer, or the internet, or any of that. Everything I need is right here, within a few minutes of my house, by way of a road no greater than 2 lanes. My closest neighbor is this store, so i come here to enjoy the breeze on this old church pew.”