This survey has been on my mind for some time, long before I decided to move back to Karnes City after retiring. The persons below are the first to be interviewed. The same six questions were asked of all interviewed to make this a true survey format.

They are:

6. Do you think there is something special about Karnes County?"

"I moved back in September 2001. And I was away for 40 years. I returned somewhat from time to time to visit my parents."

"As my parents began to age, they needed help and I came back to help them. They were the main reason I returned."

"I’ve had some adjustments moving from a big city to a small town like knowing who to call for repairs or improvements. But Karnes City personally has a history for me of positive qualities."

"At the end of December, 1999, we moved back. We were gone 40 years, mostly in Alabama. We came back frequently for family events - weddings, birthdays, graduations of other family members."

"And we moved back because this is home, where we grew up. Some adjustments have been shopping, or handy resources. You can get some things at Wal-Mart but not everything one needs or one is used to having available. All of the special things about Karnes City are related to our family and the feeling of being ‘at home.’"

"I moved back several times for different reasons, but the last time was in 1983. One of the previous times in 1942, my husband was in the military, captured and became a prisoner of war. I moved back home to wait for his release and return home.

"When I returned in 1983 it was because of my Mother’s illness. So from the last time back, it’s been 24 years. And obviously, I came back often. As far as adjustments, there weren’t too many. Perhaps because of my parents’ bakery business for so many years, I understand the workings of a small town. And as far as Karnes City being special it is because it’s home. And nothing can be more special than that."

"I moved back in 1981, 1987, and recently am back as a ‘weekender.’ So, off and on I have been away for about 28 years.

"My husband and I now have a travel trailer on our property where we are planning to build. Coming back occasionally was, and still is, a part of our lives. The primary reason for moving back is for quietness and serenity."

"My life has been involved in teaching in public schools, including Karnes County. And our neighborhood in San Antonio has become a dumping ground for dead bodies, many of them victims of gang activity. Some of the adjustments are that all stores are not open on Sundays and it is hard to find lumber and other building supplies."

"As for the special qualities, I don’t find anything in particular about Karnes City but out in the country there is a different attitude. Small towns are noted for the gossip of some and there seems to be a leniency by some of the city leaders to make allowances for some people while denying others the same things. Moving away for awhile can be quite humbling."

See next week’s newspaper for another installment of Coming Home

cpassmore@thecountywide.com