Sense of Place by Susan Van Kirk
Thank you, Marilyn, for hosting me on your blog today. I have to admit I was a huge fan of the television series Friday Night Lights, whose 63 episodes aired from 2006-2011. It told the story of a high school football team in the fictional town of Dillon, Texas. Running for six seasons, FNL centered around a coach, Eric Taylor, his wife, Tami, and a group of football players whose talents, decisions, and circumstances led them to a wider life beyond Dillon or a narrower life staying home. When it ended, I felt like I had lost a group of friends. Why? After much thought, I believe the town, its culture and expectations, and its human relationships reminded me of “a sense of place.” I understood and felt comfortable in that small town and with its characters—some with a huge sense of decency and selflessness, and others guided by narcissism and selfishness. It felt familiar. A good book is like that too. Reaching the last page, I hate to leave that place and time. For...