#stillmybrunswick

Today was supposed to be the day.

The day that Brunswick, Georgia was going to go from one of the top 10 nominated towns to one of the top 5 in the Deluxe TV station’s search for the next town to be featured on the show Small Business Revolution. https://smallbusinessrevolution.org/small-business-revolution/blog/2019/11/19/top-10-towns-competing-to-be-winner-of-small-business-revolution-season-5/

I was confident we would make top 5. We have a strong online presence and have been sharing pictures, stories and hashtags for the last few weeks. The whole town has been buzzing with anticipation and town pride. We just KNEW we were on to the next round.

Daddy Cate’s, the local coffee shop, opened early so we could gather together as a community and watch the live stream announcement. It was standing room only and spilling out onto the sidewalk. There was electricity in the air, nervous laughter and jittery hands holding shaking coffee cups.

Today was supposed to be the day.

The day that Brunswick, Georgia was recognized and validated and moved on to the next level.

6:45 and a hush fell. Those inside gathered around the TV, those just outside the door shared cell phone screens.

We all held our breath.

Even though we KNEW we were going to be called we didn’t really know and could not exhale until we heard our town’s name called out loud. Heard it made real.

Today was supposed to be the day.

The day our name was called on TV and we moved on to the next round after which who is to say…..

Today was supposed to be THAT day but instead it was THIS day:

It was the day Brunswick, Georgia was not called to move on to the next round.

It was the day we shook our heads in disbelief.

It was the day we looked around and wondered if we had simply missed our name being announced.

It was the day we were frustrated and confused and disappointed.

But it was also the day neighbors put their arms around each other without saying a word.

It was the day hugs and Kleenex and space were given.

It was the day people lingered in the shop and on the street long after the shock had worn off, sharing all of the things they love most about this town, all of the things they hold dear.

It was the day a breath was taken, pride dusted off, new plans made.

It was the day the first words uttered after the disbelief settled were “This is still “My Brunswick.” It was a challenge issued with fierce pride, a defending of something greatly loved.

The true test is how you react when you don’t get what you want.

Today was the day Brunswick, Georgia didn’t get what it wanted. It was the day it came together to celebrate and left more determined than ever to continue the forward march towards revitalizing this town we all believe in.

Today was the day the sun was slow to rise.

The day the fog clung a little tighter to the edges of town.

The day we walked home disappointed but admiring the sturdy brick shops, the elegant old houses, the church spires rising out of the mist.

Today was the day we declared “This is still MY Brunswick.”