For anyone who loves classic television, picture the following scenario:
The town of Mayberry, North Carolina is hit hard in the middle of the night by fierce, 90 mile per hour straight line winds. Floyd’s Barber Shop is a pile of rubble. Wally’s Filling Station is heavily damaged. The roof of the jail is ripped apart and strewn across town. The homes of Andy, Goober and Thelma Lou are in need of repair as well. Barney cannot even find his bullet.
The way the fictional folk of the old “Andy Griffith Show” might behave in the aftermath of a storm like that came to life this morning in the small Missouri town of Drexel, which was ravaged by a real-life storm in the middle of the night.
Neighbor helped neighbor. Despair was crushed by optimism. Jokes were told, prayers were prayed and fine friends shook hands.
On not one corner of that small town could I find a sour soul. Instead I found life long friends looking on the bright side.
“It could have been so much worse,” one woman told me. “We have such a wonderful town. We’re so glad no one was hurt.”
“I’ve been here 19 years,” said another. “We’ve had tough times before. Everyone knows everyone here. We’ll be just fine.”
As I shook the hands and listened to the words, I couldn’t help but think of Mayberry. Fictional, yes, but real in the hearts of those who live in small towns like Drexel.
May the clean up be swift and the hard work be done.
Soon enough, Floyd will be cutting hair, Goober will be pumping gas and Barney will indeed find his bullet.