Growing up, we always stopped at the same little store anytime we wanted a snack or gas. M.B. Floyd's store was your typical old school country store. Inside there was a wood heater that kept the store warm in the winter, and there was always stories being shared. Mr. Floyd and Mr. Adcock were two individuals that were always there greeting customers with their smiling faces. After M.B. Floyd's store closed, Talley's opened and this became the new gathering spot. In the mornings, farmers and neighbors gathered here to discuss weather, crop yields, NASCAR, and of course the latest gossip (even though men do not gossip :P). In the mornings when I stopped for gas, I knew that Mr. Woody, Mr. Woodlief, Mr. Lane, and Mr. Talley would be a few of the faces that I would see. I would always get a friendly hello followed by a "have a great day at school" with the occasional "stay out of trouble" and just for clarification I did not get in trouble...haha. When my grandmother began staying with us at night, she would stop there to get gas because she never learned how to pump gas. Most of the time, Dad would be at the store early in the morning so he would pump her gas but on the occasion he wasn't there, an individual always made sure her car was filled with gas. I sure do miss this both Floyd's and Talley's store. Every child should grow up in an area with a little country store that is filled with "good hearted" individuals who are always there to help an old lady pump gas.
"But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion." Luke 10:33
In Raleigh, the big city life often is overwhelming and it seems that there is not a small town feel; however, my sweet little neighborhood makes it feel like home even in the big city. I am quite loyal to the corner Handy Hugo's by my house. In the morning, Mamie graciously rings up my honeybun and Mountain Dew. In her accent, she says "Good Morning Lady" and then we continue with small talk. One morning, I stopped to fill my car up with gas and when I arrived at school I realized my credit card was not in my purse. I knew the last place I used it was at the Handy Hugos. In a panic, I call and Mamie answers the phone and thankfully tells me that I had left my card on top of the pump. A good samaritan had turned it in and Popa would give it to me that afternoon. On Saturday evening a few weeks ago, I went to fill up my car with gas. Paying cash I walked into the store and got in line. When it was my turn, Popa comes from behind the counter to give me a hug. Yeap, there were people in line, but at that moment I felt important. Because I was slightly dressed up he asked if I was going out and then told me to be careful in addition to asking how my family was doing and work. He did not have to tell me to be careful, but when he said that he genuinely cared. You see I had not seen Popa in quite sometime. I try to avoid getting gas at night and Popa only works at night. Five years ago, a tradition was started where Popa would get a plate minus the ham every Thanksgiving and Christmas. A friendship formed and whenever I see him, he always asks about my family. I feel like the Handy Hugos is my little Raleigh store.
"Do not let kindness and truth leave you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on your heart." -Proverbs 3:3
My home will always be Oxford, but having a neighborhood store definitely makes me feel safe and like I have a little bit of Oxford. Handy Hugos, Mamie, and Popa will never replace Mr. Floyd or Mr. Talley.but I enjoy being greeted with smiling faces and two people who display acts of kindness to make me feel important just like my hometown neighbors did.
What if we greeted everyone in life with the "haven't seen you in forever" hello. It made me think of the importance of being welcoming to new neighbors. Deciding to live in Raleigh was a big step because I LOVE the hometown feel of everyone knows everyone. While I do not know everyone when I walk into Target or Walmart like I do in Oxford, I know that there are a few places that I can go where someone knows my name.
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2
Let us share our smiling faces (which are our on precious riches) this week to those that we come in contact with. As we remember that we never know who the angels are and who those are that need a smiling face, welcoming hello, or hug the most. Thanks for reading!
Faith...Patience..Love
Hugs and Love, Joy