Small Town Values

I grew up in a one horse town. Okay, actually it has a lot of horses, but only one stop light. When I was a kid that stop light had three colors. Today it just flashes red, I'm not sure where green and yellow went. 

Anyway, I love that one stop light town. That area of Oklahoma is called "Green Country", but we call it "God's Country". This is just a gut feeling, but I think God calls it that too. 

There are so many things I can and most likely will write about my hometown of Pawhuska, OK. However, what I am writing about today is not so much about the town as it is the values I learned growing up there. These values are not exclusive to Pawhuska or small towns in general. But, these are values that I learned growing up in a small town and still try to employ in my life today (even while living in a large city).

Below is a list of values that I learned in Pawhuska, OK and truly appreciate today...

• People wave at you. I know that's weird right. I have lived in a large city long enough that I forget about waving at people, especially when driving. Then I pass through a small town or visit back home and get caught off guard. You know the situation... You are driving down the road and someone passes by and they wave as they pass. You see the wave, but see it too late to react. Then you try to get in a quick wave, but you know they didn't see your return wave. I'm kind of glad that we don't wave in the city though, there are a lot of people and that would get exhausting. That being said, I miss the friendliness of a good ole wave. 
• Shaking hands. People in small towns still shake your hand as a greeting, parting gesture, or to seal a deal. This is a part of life that all people, especially men should hold in high regard. 
• The use of Sir or Mam. People in small towns often say "Yes Sir or Yes Mam". These terms are used when addressing those you respect, especially your elders. Personally, I highly respect people that use these terms when speaking to others. 
• Opening doors for Women and Elders. It is a common practice in small towns to hold open the door for women or anyone that is your elder. Not only holding open doors, but opening car doors as well. My daughters will not date a guy that doesn't open the door for them (when they are old enough to date at the age of 21).
• Taking off your hat indoors. It is a sign of respect to take off your hat indoors. This is especially true when entering a persons house, a restaurant, and a Church. 
• Respecting elders. This includes many of the acts mentioned above and more. Also acts like moving over on the sidewalk to let an elder walk by. Listening when an elder talks to you without interrupting them. Helping an elder with anything you see they might need help with on a daily basis. This could mean helping them put away groceries, crossing the street, or taking the newspaper up to their front door from the driveway. You always clean the snow off the driveway of an elder that might have trouble doing it themselves. 

Those are just a few of the values that I learned growing up in "God's Country." I know that these values have helped me in life and I plan to teach them to my children as well.  

What are some values you have learned that need to be passed on to future generations?

God Bless,


Coach P

P.S. Thanks to my cousin Bobby Harris for helping contribute thoughts to the above list.

My family walking in downtown Pawhuska, OK.