Main Street Greenville
Funny how quickly plans change
By Sean Wolfe 

Just over three years ago, I walked across the stage on Harmon Field decked in my white cap and gown with so much drive and excitement to move forward that tears filled my eyes. I had no idea what I wanted to do or who I wanted to be, but I was certain that staying in this small, sleepy town just was not for me. I had a craving to make the world a better place, and much like other young people, that place wasn’t the uneventful town I grew up in.  I left for college, I spent a summer in Chicago for an internship that allowed me to travel across the U.S. and I lived curiously and spontaneously because that’s what 20­somethings are “supposed” to do. 

With the idea in mind that there was nothing to do in Greenville while I was growing up, I promised myself that I would never move back, whether it be for a job or to one day raise a family. Nope. Never. It’s funny how quickly plans can change though, as I’ve spent the summer living in Greenville and have loved every single second of the role I’ve played here. 

While trying to think of the words to describe my experience with Main Street Greenville, this quote came to mind immediately. Kent Nerburn once shared a short story that quickly took off across the web. He ended it with this statement: 

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments, but great moments often catch us unaware­beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one 

Within this short time, I have become passionate about my hometown, its people and what we have built here. I’ve fallen in love with the simple, yet beautiful moments, traits and even the flaws that make us unique. The truth is, we have a town full of character and history that others try to create but often fall short of. I live with so much drive and passion because this town has shaped me into that kind of person. I value kindness and warm­heartedness because I have been raised by parents, teachers and with friends who also value good character. 

Often times, I think we just expect that good things happen out of thin air. In reality though, it is the people who care enough to try to make changes and improvements that make good things happen. Growing up, I looked past the good instead of trying to join those who were making a difference, but here I am just a few years later working beside people who want to create extraordinary events, programs and service projects that will ultimately unite this small, quaint town of ours.  These are skills and that I can take anywhere into my future endeavors, but I only could have acquired them right here in Greenville, Ohio. 

In less than a year, I’ll graduate once again with a drive and excitement to start something new. I don’t know where life will take me, but I can say I would not be discontent if life brought me back to the small town that I fell in love with this summer.