ref·uge /ˈrefˌyo͞oj,ˈrefˌyo͞oZH/ noun

a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble.

Hico has always been my place of rest, refuge, and relief. From the time we moved here when I was in 3rd grade to now as a semi-adult, Hico has served as my home base asylum from the insanity of life.

Unfortunately, some of my visits home include funerals and this weeks trip was full of heartache as we celebrated the life of Edwin Black. The church was overflowing and the stories were a tribute to the man we all loved. Edwin was always excited to greet me with a smooch and called me his girlfriend. In college, he’d call me to come pick up big bags of cans from the deer lease to recycle for cash. He always looked for ways to help everyone around him. My most favorite memory of Edwin was at Tonya and Eric’s wedding. He spent the entire night on the dance floor, and after making his rounds to smooch everyone goodbye, he walked out to his truck. Silver Wings by Merle Haggard came on for another time, and Edwin comes flying in from the parking lot, Charlotte in tow, yelling “We can’t miss a chance to dance to a good song.”

Of course there are many, many happy visits home including weddings and babies and events. Hico is as much a part of my person as it’s a place for people to raise families, find pie, and say Hi to Billy the Kid. This town has been my refuge time and time again, so it makes sense that Hico is my destination of choice for the next phase of life. Lots of details are still being worked out, and no hard deadlines have been established but sooner rather than later I’ll once again be a Hico resident. Leaving Fort Worth is hard, but the hugs, love, and support from this wonderful community has reinforced that this is the right decision for me. I’m looking forward to being back home. This is a good thing.