New Bern, North Carolina, wasn’t my favorite place to visit and now I live here. Until recently, I would always cringe at the thought of visiting my parents. Don’t get me wrong, I love my parents, but I felt the area they retired to was boring, small, and offered nothing for my children. They lived seven miles from the Marine base. The hottest attraction is the local Walmart. Once the community pool and restaurant closed, it took away ninety percent of our entertainment. I swore I would NEVER live here.
I had this perception of New Bern for over 25 years until November 2019. I received a call that my father was in the hospital and that I needed to get there as soon as possible. My dad passed away unexpectedly a few days after I arrived. I was helping my mom with estate matters.
Because she is in a wheelchair, I had to go to the courthouse on her behalf. As I drove into downtown New Bern, I was in awe. It was like waking up as a child on Christmas morning. I was immediately smitten with the small-town charm. My eyes were wide open and excited to discover what else I didn’t know.
When I got home, I asked my mother why they never told me about the quaint town. She said they didn’t like it because it felt to “busy.” Since that day, I couldn’t help but wonder what else is there to see and learn. As I explore different areas of North Carolina now, I find myself tearing up from the profound beauty.
I found myself regretting that I didn’t know this sooner. Then I realized, at that time, maybe I wouldn’t have appreciated it the way I do now. Maybe I wouldn’t have been open to knowing like I am now.
I can only wonder with our current social environment what could be possible if we could change our perception? What if we would explore conversations with curiosity and wonder of a child? What if we could be willing to learn new information now to change our perception and maybe even our world?
