I can't tell you how furious this makes me! Someone please tell me how Abilene has killed your dream?
Working in the news business most of my colleagues are from somewhere other than here. Many have adjusted and while Abilene is quite different then where they're from, they can really appreciate Abilene for what it is; a town that is neither too small or too big, with friendly people who seem to genuinely care about their neighbors.
Even the ones that haven't adjusted and aren't in love with the small town charm can't honestly say their dreams have died, in fact for anyone in the news business, Abilene is the perfect place for "dreams to begin".
Abilene may not be the best place for everyone, and as much as I love Abilene, I don't know that I'll stay in Abilene for the rest of my life, but when the time comes that Abilene is no longer the place for me- I'll leave, and when the time comes that you start saying that Abilene killed your dream- I suggest you do the same.
Till next time-Courtnee
I agree, Courtnee. For me, Abilene, TX is where my professional dreams are coming true! : )
ReplyDeleteUnless you are in prison or military, nobody is holding a gun to your head making you live in Abilene. If you don't like Abilene, Texas, America then get out. Thank you foryour stand on Abilene Courtnee. Sandy Miller
ReplyDelete"Small town charm" ...You have got to be kidding me. Abilene, TX is so far behind the power curve of creating/maintaining/cultivating a small town feel/charm or even for that matter, being just slightly progressive, that people do truly feel that this town is a place where dreams go to die. For those of you who have lived your whole life in Abilene and have taken offense to the bumper stickers that were posted, why don't you stop complaining about other people’s valid feelings and do something worthwhile instead. Go out in the community, go to your elected leaders, go to the major business leaders and make some real progress and change. This town is truly stuck in a rut and those who love this town should be cognizant enough to recognize this ill. If you love this town as much as so many claim, the onus/responsibility is now placed directly on your shoulders to bring seriously positive change to this town. I don't even want to get started on "Abilene Frontiering." That was just so sad. The fact that we have leaders of this community that feel the phrase accurately reflects what this town and people are about is downright disturbing. Ones perception is all too often reality. I believe that in this case, there is a minority group of people who are rising up and speaking out against the “where dreams go to die” belief, but a majority of people in Abilene truly feel this way. The reason you are not hearing the majority voice their opinions as openly as those who disagree with the feeling is simply due to the fact that they do not care enough about Abilene to get into any kind of educated debate on the matter. I think Abilene has potential to leap-frog the stigma that it’s currently stuck with, but it’s going to take the work of those who love this town to make a positive change.
ReplyDeleteDear Disgruntled Abilenian,
ReplyDeleteWhat is it that you want in a town? Would you like more crime, pollution, more traffic, a longer commute to work? Perhaps there is not enough night life for you here. If these are the things that interest you, then Abilene is not the town for you. Although I have never lived outside of Texas, I have lived in Houston, Austin and College Station, so I do have a little bit of comparison. All the towns that I have lived in have had some really great things about them. But I would not trade any of them for Abilene. Abilene is a loving, warm, compassionate, Christian community, where neighbors care about each other. There are so many charitable organizations that are out there ready to help people in times of crisis and need. We have some really informative museums and a very talented Philharmonic orchestra. We are blessed with a very nice zoo. Yes it is small, but there are many towns larger than us that don't have a zoo. We have great community plays. There is never a week that there is not an event going on in Abilene. I could go on forever about Abilene's amenities, but I guess the real reason I love Abilene, is that I have wonderful friends who I care about, and who care about me. I can understand that Abilene is not for everyone, and I glad it is not, because if it were; we would have a big crowded, polluted, crime ridden uncaring community~ Probably a lot like the city that you are from.
Marsha Hembree
Abilene salavtion Army sucks they keep the good food for the selves.
ReplyDelete