Over the last decade and a half, I have written stories for the Times Free Press about people and places in the surrounding counties- people living on farms, in secluded hideaways, in quaint towns where a feeling of Mayberry-like nostalgia almost rises from the ground.
Now those communities are pitched and rocked by a global pandemic, and people are losing their lives to the novel coronavirus.
Born more than 50 years ago in Bradley County and living all my life in Southeast Tennessee, I identify with the people I cover. What hurts them hurts me.
Now, where I’ve lived in Brainerd for more than 30 years, the normally deserted driveways of my neighbors are filled with cars. The kid across the street started practicing drums more than four weeks ago and has steadily improved from what started out sounding like empty boxes tumbling down stairs.
I don’t mind. Practice makes perfect. Much better, at least.
As I sit at a tiny computer desk in my dining room, I feel isolated together with all of you. I ache to give good news when there’s little to give.
But that day is coming soon, when we’ll all celebrate. And we’ll tell those stories, too.
– Ben Benton, Southeast Tennessee and Northeast Alabama region reporter, bbenton@timesfreepress.com.