I grew up in the Midwest. I’ve lived briefly in the west. A lot in the upper midwest. Now the South. I am deeply rooted in the Midwest.

This road trip has reconnected me with that sense of rootedness. Our driving root from southern Missouri to visit more family in Iowa took me down county roads and state highways I’d never otherwise visit. (And it was the “fastest” route according to my map guide.)

All along the way I was taking in the visual beauty of farmland. Crops were getting to maturity. Towns were laid out nice and neat. Farmhouses were situated beautifully on their property. It’s a sense of place that exists other places I’ve lived and other places I’ve visited… and in a different way.

Here is the hard part: we’re so entrenched in our new religion of political ideology, there are readers who struggle with what I’m saying because all their thinking is… RED STATES.

There are others nodding with me because they’re thinking… RED STATES.

When I think of the rootedness of the Midwest, growing up, family, knowing people, and certain ways of life embedded in me because of that place… I just don’t think that way. I truly … honestly … don’t want to think that way at all.

There is a value to what I see around me in the South. (Again… quit thinking RED or BLUE.) There is a love I have in my heart for Minnesota (without thinking BLUE). Places that taught me different things. Things I cherish.

But I have a love for the rootedness of the Midwest. I am glad I grew up in Kansas. It’s a lot of fun to be wearing a KU shirt or a KC Chiefs somewhere in the South and hear someone call out to me. If we get to have a conversation, there is a warm conversation about things familiar.

I’ve realized that wherever I have lived I bear witness to the goodness of so many people. Folks who work hard (urban AND rural, red AND blue), love family, have a deep commitment to belief and religion (not always Christian), and will work to help a neighbor, even it that neighbor may be a stranger initially. When struggles come, these folks lean on each other.

Whether it’s the aftermath of a tornado in Iowa or a bridge collapse in Minneapolis, there is the goodness of people who will run TO the problem and do all they can to help.

On the second day of our road trip we were in north central Arkansas on a two lane highway at the edge of a small town when we witnessed a horrific accident in front of us. We pulled over and I ran to the car that had plowed full speed into the back of a cargo truck. It turned out the driver was the only person injured in what could have been a lot worse situation. I was so thankful he was alive, alert, and able to talk.

Then…the goodness of folks began to shine. Others were immediately at the car as well. Within mere minutes, I could hear sirens because neighbors seeing the accident had dialed 911. Volunteer fire, off duty deputies, and EMT showed up quickly. Good people sprang into action and made sure everyone around was safe. The driver was attended to. Everyone got on their way in time.

These are things I’m reminded of as I get to drive a few back roads on this part of the trip. As I get to see family members who’ve been there for me and my family, cheering me on, cheering me up, helping each other through life. As I get to see lifelong friends in places I’ve lived and catch up on their lives.

Goodness. It resides in us. And we need to cheer it on.