Question: “What will you miss most about Fair Grove?”

My Instant Reaction: Nothing. I am not going to miss the cowboy boots or the country music and I am not going to miss the stereotypes or the racial comments.

Ope.

Well, that’s a little depressing….afterall, I may not have always been from Fair Grove, but I have lived here the longest. I would definitely consider Fair Grove as my hometown; yet, I cannot think of anything that I will miss off the top of my head.

Let me think on this a little bit….

Sure, Fair Grove is a really small town, so you have the comfort of knowing or being related to everyone; but, isn’t that kind of boring? I am actually really excited about getting to go to a college where I know absolutely no one. I have the opportunity to meet new people and learn about their different cultures – even if they are from Missouri, too.

I mean, I will definitely miss my friends from high school and I will definitely miss my family – especially, my little brother – but the important people in my life will not necessarily stay in Fair Grove for the entirety of their lives….or at least I hope…

Oh, I know! I know what I will miss most!

The window in my childhood bedroom – the one that opened up to the roof of our garage with a large oak tree sitting across from it and the sky shining down from above. The view was phenomenal, the stars were unwavering and shined beautifully. On nights that I couldn’t fall asleep, I remember sitting on my bed with my arms crossed atop the windowsill and staring, as deeply as a four year old might, into the glowing lights above. I would count the shooting stars I saw, I loved the feeling that the faraway stars gave me, the feeling that there was a bigger world outside that I could venture and travel to. Sometimes, when the nights were long, I would climb out of my windowsill and onto my roof with my Disney princess comforter wrapped tightly around me and enjoy the whippoorwills whistling in the summer wind. I absolutely loved these beautiful nights.

I guess, if I miss anything from Fair Grove while I am at college, it would have to be the subtle nature that the community holds and protects ever so dearly.

Editor’s Note: Jane Elliston is a Senior at Fair Grove High School, she writes about her life and the challenges she faces.