ROCKINGHAM - An anonymous "Letter to the Editor" was recently forwarded to the attention of the Richmond Observer. While there is certainly nothing unusual about such an occurrence, this particular missive was deemed appropriate for a Monday morning as we commence yet another week of whatever life may present. It is posted below with no editorial alterations (beyond technical requirements), as is our policy. You may wish to reflect upon these "pearls of wisdom" as you consider what it really means to live in Richmond County, North Carolina.
Letter to the Editor:
Almost eight years ago now I received a questionnaire in the mail from a church in some town called “Rockingham”. I immediately went to the most trusted place I knew, “Google”. It was there that I found out that Rockingham was situated in Richmond County, NC. It was a town known by most outsiders as, “the place where they have the races”. They no longer had the races in Richmond County when we moved here in 2010 but that did not limit how special this place has been to us over the last 8 years or so. In June, my family will be moving to the upstate of SC, Spartanburg to be exact. Before we leave, I feel the need to write about what a special place Richmond County is.
Personally, I think that communities that are great to live in has more to do with the people who are there than anything else. Communities or neighborhoods could have huge buildings, thousands of restaurants, and plenty of entertainment options but people will not stay there unless they are surrounded by great people. I’ve read all the articles, I’ve seen all the posts, and I’ve heard all the comments about Richmond County not being a good place to live. What those people fail to factor in is the relationships that you build with the people.
I’m going to miss walking into Substation and picking on Wanda. I’m going to miss walking into Dunkin Donuts and Mr. Art joking around with my son. I’m going to miss walking into Evolution Health Club and knowing half the people in there. I’m going to miss going and walking the trails at Hitchcock Creek and Hinson Lake. I’m going to miss trying to run in Walmart really quickly only to be stopped and talk for an hour. (Ok, that last one may be a bit of a stretch but you get the picture).
As someone who has lived a few different places, and is moving to what would be considered a “bigger” city, enjoy what you have here in Richmond County. Most of all enjoy the people, because genuine, hard-working, honest people are hard to find in this world. Richmond County churches are filled with them! I encourage you to find one to become a part of. My family knows that God is calling us away to be on staff at another church, in another state, and in another county, but the people of Richmond County will always be family!
