I Understand We Are Fortunate

“Sometimes you have to let go of the picture of what you thought life would be like and learn to find joy in the story you are actually living.” Rachel Martin

​      The Caldwell’s use the phrase “I understand” a lot in conversation with each other. So much so it has become a joke and now many times we expand on the “I understand” with what we think the other person really means. It can be very condescending: I understand but I think you are crazy, I understand but I am not listening to you, I understand but I do not care. We understand this is a problem.

    In all seriousness, we want you to know, we understand how our local small business owners are struggling and frightened... So are we. None of us have experienced anything like this, in which the government has shut down our churches, businesses, schools and events due to a health crisis. And our additional stressors include the chaos of applying for and hoping 
to receive assistance offered by the government. Then we add the fear of the virus itself in which most of us know of someone personally who has contracted the virus, has been hospitalized, and possibly died. It is so surreal.

​   Do you know what else I understand in these troubling times? How fortunate we are to live in Wedowee, Alabama. Not all small towns have what we have, a community with a vibrant downtown, a beautiful lake and strong people committed to working through this setback. I know our future is secure, we may need to let go of the picture we previously painted for ourselves but we still have joy… lots of joy and some of the most beautiful sunsets in the south.


I Love Lake Wedowee! 

Leisel Caldwell