Sarah D. Shearer

This morning, I woke lazily, ambled into my kitchen, and set to brewing a fresh cup of coffee, pour over style, like my daddy taught me. Without any sort of hurry or agenda, I sat at my old vintage metal desk I bought at a church yard sale, and opened my bible to the book of John while I read the daily devotional by Oswald Chambers. My Utmost for His Highest continues to be one of the most impactful books I have ever read. It was a delightfully peaceful morning.

Then, I dressed and set out, first to drop a supplement in the mailbox of a client–there are perks for those who live downtown, then to have a few pieces of jewelry repaired by our local expert, Mark, who owns Jim’s Jewelers. We discussed the upcoming Rose Show weekend and the unique charm of downtown Thomasville. The more you travel, the more you realize how unique this little town is, with its brick streets, antique homes, and friendly faces. Even now, as I sit in the coffee shop, the sidewalks are brimming with jogging ladies, older couples browsing the shops, and young moms with strollers.

The city is alive, but not too alive, if you know what I mean. There are signs plastered all over the windows about walks and runs and plays and concerts–all in Thomasville. In a society that says big cities and high rises are where it’s at, a little town in Georgia says you really don’t need all that stuff to be happy or fulfilled.

There’s a secret here, a piece of wisdom that can be missed so very easily.

I have always wanted to have a big life, a significant life, a life I can look back on and be so proud of. Many people I know feel the same way. They have dreams, but they are positive these dreams cannot take flight if they “stay in Thomasville.” So they leave, and in the big city, they discover that although there may be the illusion of opportunity, there is one key ingredient missing: the people.

For it is here that you find the jeweler who just repaired your favorite earrings but won’t let you pay. It is here you will find the gentleman who notices you are having trouble with your car and stops to help. It is here you will find the couple who has your over for dinner on their back porch to soak up the last few moments of Spring. It is here you find the people who will help you achieve your writing dreams, land a great job, and find success.

It’s here you will find new friends sitting next to you at Liam’s on a Friday afternoon, it’s here you will find the friends who visit you in the hospital because their aunt’s sister found out on facebook you were sick. It’s here. Right here.

So to those of you who have left, I truly pity you. You won’t find a better place to grow up, grow old or fall in love.

If you are looking for a full, meaningful life, I have news for you. You may find it right here in Thomasville, GA.