Officer reflects on quality of life and people in Texarkana

As I look back to when Michelle and I moved to Texarkana 28 years ago, I quickly realize that I hardly recognize today’s Texarkana.

What were once cow pastures are now home to bustling areas of commerce. What was then little more than gravel country roads are now highways that provide access to what could be considered affluent neighborhoods. Businesses have come. Some others have gone. While I have personally witnessed this transformation, I still stand in amazement of just how far our community has come in such a short time.

There is little question that Texarkana has physically changed, but luckily the souls of the people living here have not. In a day where much of the world seems infatuated with bigger and louder, I love that Texarkana has managed to hang onto much of the smalltown atmosphere that probably attracted many of us here in the first place.

I know that not everyone would consider this a positive but, as I have grown older, I have come to realize that may be that special thing that sets us apart from other places to live, such as Dallas, Shreveport, or Little Rock. I love that I can go just about anywhere in Texarkana and see someone I know. I feel good when I see people taking the time to visit with friends that they happen upon in grocery stores. I am proud of the way that people here will still go out of their way to help others in their time of need.

Our family has had excellent employment and educational opportunities in Texarkana. We have a great church home at First United Methodist ChurchArkansas and friends that we love here. I have never regretted the decision to come to Texarkana. Texarkana is home.