move back to Florence. — The Flossip, 1994.
That is a direct quote of something I said a million times in college. I wanted to see the world, live in big cities, have some swanky high-paying job that kept me in cosmos and Louboutin shoes. Looking back, it is surprising to me that I ever felt that way. I am more small town than big city. I hate dressing up and would wear jeans to work if they were allowed. I like having everything I need close to me. I was in college then, what did I know? I assumed that everything else HAD TO BE BETTER.
Amazingly, as much as I complained about having nothing to do… I have some really fun memories of growing up here. As I watch my own children grow up, its funny to me that they will remember a lot of the things they are doing now. I remember swinging on the All Saints playground, I remember my gym teacher playing “Eye of the Tiger”, the Harlem Globetrotters coming to town (By the way they WERE my favorite team on Amazing Race), pep rallys in high school, and on and on and on.
I have facebook friend requests from people that I went to elementary school with. We still feel connected through this town and the people that live here. I love discovering new people that currently live here or that have lived here. I love sharing this town with new people.
The point is… that sometimes we all complain. “Florence sucks.” “Florence is too small.” “Florence is too round. (Just seeing if you are paying attention).”
We need to stop complaining and start PROMOTING. Tell people what is GOOD about Florence. Convince people to move here. Talk to the council people and give them your ideas– many of them are on facebook and seeking out your opinion.
Tell the city which roads need to be paved, tell the police where criminal activity is occurring.
This is OUR town. Why not make it the best one we know?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Just saw this article on SCnow. http://bit.ly/PTZ84 A step in the right direction.
The Rail Trail was definitely a step in the right direction, in my opinion. That’s the thing I miss most about leaving my hometown – a place to walk outdoors and enjoy nature in relative safety. And now Florence has that. Seems to me that thing are moving in a better direction for Florence.