Lexington, TX

This town takes care of each other. Kids who have graduated and gone off to their next adventure come back and see folks in the town, preachers, pastors, teachers, coaches, not just the kids they grew up with but the people who helped make them who they are. No one is afraid to set an extra plate for a guest, and there’s never a short line for volunteers for any helping hands.

We had a house fire in 2009 where we lost everything. We had four children, ages seven to 11. This little town totally bowed us over and restocked a whole new house. The cub scouts did their annual scouting canned food drive and brought us a truck load of food! The Boy Scouts donated items for the oldest to go to camp just two days after the fire. The churches donated clothes, furniture, linens, money — everything.

A young couple came to us and said they were sorry they had nothing to donate or give but wanted to know if they could use items donated to decorate my daughter’s room. I was so touched. I was going through cancer treatments and sick as a dog and just plain unable to do anything. What this loving couple did with my daughter’s room was outstandingly beautiful. That’s my story, but there are others like it in town.

During the winter of 2015, in a few weeks’ time, seven children under the age of 15 lost one of their parents. Three families changed in the blink of an eye. I watched this town adopt and love these children and have been amazed at the outpouring of love for them.

A veteran passed away not too long ago and the widow told the pastor she didn’t think anyone would even come to the service. The church was full. Standing-room only full. Don’t-tell-the-fire-marshal full. There were people outside because it was too full to fit one more body.

A boy’s father passed away from a stroke a few weeks ago. He was the only one home when it happened. He was closed off and grieving alone. Everyone wanted to help him but no one knew how. All he would ask of anyone was for a hug. He finally talked to the robotics coach and my son and again asked for a hug. That young man has been hugged more in a few weeks than all his life and he smiles now.

Cindy’s Story

My husband and I moved, with our two children, 22 years ago from Houston. He said, “I gave you the first 20 years (of marriage) in the city; you have to give me the next 20 in the country.” So, we sought a place close enough to his work in Austin that he could commute, but far enough away that street lights weren’t necessary. Lexington fit the bill. Well, needless to say, it’s been 20-plus years and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Throughout the years, we have seen fellow residents devastated by cancer, the death of a child, fire, floods, drownings, accidental shootings, and on and on — tragedies that are not uncommon to man. However, whenever people were struck with tragedy, the community came together to lift them up — in prayer, in person, financially, and more.

And sometimes, the “tragedy” isn’t so overwhelming. Just last week, a young man who works for the City of Lexington had his truck stolen right off his driveway. Within a matter of hours, the community helped spread the word far and wide, along with help from our local police department, and his truck was recovered in a town less than 50 miles away! The story was even covered on the front page of our local newspaper.