Lasting Love for a Changing Neighborhood

Poe Mill has seen its fair share of challenges and changes over the years. Among its residents is Trudy Harper, a 73-year-old woman whose life story embodies resilience, faith, and community spirit.

Trudy has called this neighborhood home for over two decades. “God gave me this house. It was a miracle,” she says, recalling how she moved into her two-bedroom mill house with tall ceilings and the perfect screened-in porch for southern weather.

Ms. Trudy on her porch. Photo by IsaacCropsey.com

Talking with Trudy is refreshing. She is well aware of Poe Mill’s struggles, yet she is also witnessing its gradual gentrification. What does she think about the evolving landscape? She’d rather see houses repaired and restored than replaced altogether.

One of her greatest frustrations is the lack of help available for fixing up homes. As a widow, she can’t physically repair much of what’s broken, and she can’t afford to hire anyone to do it. Still, despite these challenges, Trudy’s joy never dims. Her love for her neighborhood — and her belief that positive change is possible through collective effort — keeps her going.

Trudy also recognizes that one of Poe Mill’s most painful problems is substance abuse. The impact of drug activity casts a shadow over many residents’ lives. But she refuses to succumb to despair. Instead, she draws strength from her faith and her own journey of overcoming addiction.

“God delivered me from alcohol. I don’t worry about alcohol anymore,” she says. “And I don’t worry at all no more because God’s got me.” Her advice for those struggling is to uncover the root of their unhappiness: “Things like jealousy will eat you alive.” She urges people to get into the Word — “Ask God to open up your understanding to what He is saying” — and to live with gratitude.

A proud member of Griggs, Trudy worships expressively. “If the trees can raise their hands, what’s wrong with God’s people?” she’ll say with a grin.

Despite the challenges of aging, she remains active, grateful, and full of life. “I’m 73, but I thank God I still get around,” she says, her resilience shining through.

When it comes to young people, Trudy hopes they’ll listen to the wisdom of the elderly, even when they don’t see eye to eye. “You can love everyone, even if you don’t understand them,” she often says. She worries that older residents are too easily dismissed simply because of their age.

“Young people criticize old people,” she notes, “but young people in this neighborhood are dying faster than old people.” Trudy is right.

Between gang violence and overdoses, Griggs has done roughly the same number of funerals for young adults as senior adults. She dreams of the two generations coming together to talk about life, stress, and addiction — conversations that could change the statistics. After all, many older residents, like Trudy, openly share their own past struggles.

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Trudy is always willing to talk with anyone. In her, Poe Mill has found a person of love — a woman whose unwavering faith, resilience, and compassion inspire everyone who knows her.

As Poe Mill continues to evolve, Trudy’s voice remains an important one.

This article origionally appeared in Griggs Church’s community newspaper: Saltbox Quarterly.