Introduction

Each of the following inter-related stories is based upon memories of my father and others who grew up in the Sharp Community of rural Central Louisiana during the 1950s and 60s, or, decades later, from my own journey of growing up there.

These stories are not simple. Though I think each one can be read at surface value, they are much more fruitful when read deeply. Each story contains not only a blending of perspectives from different generations, but layers of complexity. I am a lifelong student of literature and always see beyond a first glance. For instance, a tree is never just a tree; it is solidity, strength, timelessness, safety, and so on. This is especially true of the large oaks that framed my childhood home, and you will find that I reference them often.

Each story is rich with metaphor, especially related to spirituality. I cannot escape my affectingly religious heritage or the ties that bind me to the community and churches of my youth. Nor would I want to. These are the things that make me wholly Southern and that make these stories, though specifically written about the Sharp Community, universal.

Finally, while these stories include very common things, events, and places in the Southern way of life, you will be surprised that nearly every story deals partly with death and yet, is not sad. It is my intent to highlight the eternality of living, to showcase, as William Faulkner has famously said, “there is no such thing as was.”

But I don’t want to spoil it by telling too much now. More details about each specific story and a few of the characters are found at the end of the collection, as are some really great photos. This introduction serves only to establish a tone for what lies ahead, and to ask readers not to try to translate any part of this text into an exact history, biography, or autobiography from any character’s perspective. Some names are real, and some are not. Some dates are accurate, and some I’ve skewed purposefully. Only the seeds of the stories are true.

And this is only a sampling. Many more volumes could be written to capture the families and community represented here. I found that I needed to close this chapter as I had completed the first leg of the journey, followed the main character through a series of stories as she grew up. There is much more to tell and many more voices to do so.

My goal in writing this collection has been only to leave behind something meaningful and enduring . . . and to shed light on a way of life, a way of thinking and, especially, an abiding faith. If you grew up in the Deep South, surely you know what I mean.