The Friendly City Neighbor

Moving to a new town can be overwhelming. As I unloaded my car, got supper ready, I was in my new home of Tifton. As I continued to settle in, a big, brown dog came wandering up to my fence of our tiny brink home. He had a tag on, so naturally, I called the number. A woman answered and she said she would be right over to grab Coco. I got Coco settled and let her know her mama would be here soon. Very shortly a lady came from across the street and said “You must be new here!” She welcomed me to town and let me know that her son lived next door to us. We continued to talk and finally parted ways for the night. I walked away from the conversation thinking “Ok, it’s all going to be okay.” I was just a scared newcomer with no family here, a new job & A LOT of worry. This lady with a brown dog showed kindness and it sure did go a LONG way.

The next week I saw this same lady’s face, but in the Local Paper. It was not a mug shot thankfully; she was the Mayor of Tifton. I felt like a local celebrity. I knew the Mayor of Tifton. As the years went by there was never a moment that I saw her and she was not smiling. She is no longer my neighbor BUT she is a mentor, and, thankfully, a friend. That kindness is something that I hope that everyone is able to experience in this town. Not only from city officials but from and to your “neighbors”.

Our world and our town have changed the past few years and will continue to change but I continue to remember the tea is still sweet, the azaleas are still blooming, and we are still the Friendly City. As you are welcomed to Tifton, I hope that you each have the same experience as that scared 20-year-old who found her Tifton Mom across the street on College Ave. Remember to get to know your neighbors, you never know who they may be or what they are going through. It just may be the reason someone stays in Tifton.