My Dearest Little Rock ...
Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco, but I left mine in Little Rock, Arkansas. I flew to Little Rock as a speaker at the 2022 Neighborhoods USA Conference, where it was my honor to share some of my 20 plus years of experiences as a neighborhood activist and grassroots organizer.
After my speaking engagement, I went alone to Cinco de Rhino at the Little Rock Zoo. Fish tacos, margaritas, a steel drum playing Latin tunes, and Rhino slobber all over my hand … it just doesn’t get any better, or so I thought. Then a lovely Little Rock couple invited me to sit with them. They chatted with me as if they had known me all my life, we exchanged Instagram profiles, and agreed to stay in touch.
Could anything top having fulfilled my life's dream of being nibbled by a Rhino? I didn’t think so, however, I had a VIP ticket to the Lainey Wilson concert at The Revolution Room, or The Rev as us regulars like to call it. I was kicking myself for forgetting my cowboy hat! I joined a group who met Ms. Wilson before the show for a chat, picture and a tune. Being an Arkansas native herself, she made every person in that room feel special, including a cowboy hatless me. A young, talented, and beyond handsome Jackson Dean opened the show. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times, Country music is best enjoyed live, and this show was no exception. Ms. Wilson and Mr. Dean gave a musical performance that attendees will be talking about for weeks. Their voices were heartfelt, their lyrics contagious, and their love for their audience - obvious.
A single father, his two daughters and their boyfriends adopted me that evening. The dad reminded me of mine who generally doesn’t hesitate to join me on my adventures and couldn’t be prouder of his little girl, even if he doesn’t say it too often. We chatted, exchanged stories, and took a selfie. No sooner had we snapped a photo than I was whisked away by a friendly stranger with music in his soul. We danced to every Lainey Wilson song, until my favorite song at the very end “What a Man Otta Know.” Afterwards, a young lady came up to me and said, “OMG, I can tell that he is so in love with you, by the way he looks at you when you’re dancing.” I couldn’t help but giggle as I responded that I didn’t even know this friendly stranger’s name. Thank you, sir, for an unforgettably fun evening!
What could possibly top that night? I didn’t think anything could. I returned to The Rev to watch Band of Heathens the next night and their opening act Chicago Farmer made me feel like I was watching one of those nostalgic country fairs in the movies.
Watching the cowboy hats parade in one by one made me miss my hat even more. As I sat there hatless, sandwiched in-between two local Arkansas couples, one of the bar staff came over to ask us if we wanted a drink. Before I knew it, I had been adopted by the two couples and another who joined a few minutes later.
On my last day, I took a kayak tour on the Arkansas River. It was my first time and everything about it was an adventure. Besides the bright orange and yellow plastic kayak, the bulky purple vest and my cell phone dangling from my neck in a plastic protective cover, I caught a glimpse of what life may have been like for the natives in the area. The unpredictable choppy mini waves, the ominous grey clouds and the mystery of what I was petting with the tip of my paddle had me at the edge of my water-filled kayak the entire time! Adventure with a capital A!
After the kayak tour, I headed over to a well-recommended restaurant, the Flying Fish, in hopes that the fish smells there would mask those of my own. It was Mother’s Day, and everyone looked so elegant in their pinks, florals, and pearls! Everyone, but me. My mom would have been horrified, but I was hungry, and I had a plane to catch.
Unsure of the protocol, I lightly tapped the lady in front of me for some guidance. She was dressed in a beautifully pressed salmon color blouse, smart eyeglasses, and a swept-up hairdo. I’m sure she was horrified by my appearance, but she was too gracious to show it. Her friend arrived moments later, equally put together wearing a pink dress and pearls. Clearly, they were celebrating Mother’s Day and, being the loving mothers they are, they adopted me and invited me to sit with them.
I couldn’t have been more touched by this loving gesture, and shocked that anything could top any of the other countless precious moments I experienced in Little Rock, Arkansas.
We enjoyed a wonderful meal, eaten just as it should be, slowly and we finished each other’s sentences when talking about men. I don’t know about them, but I certainly didn’t want my time with them to come to an end. We went over to the ice cream shop where I had the best scoop of praline ice cream ever, and they walked me around the park where they had taken their own children.
In conclusion, my dearest Little Rock, I looked forward to this trip every day for five months and I will miss you each day until I return. Thank you for your hospitality, warmth, and unconditional love.
Love always,
Susana Porras
