The best compliment I've ever received

Today, July 18, 2010 I received the most rewarding compliment of my entire life!
A man, an older (mid to late 60's) black man with mostly salt and a little pepper gray hair sitting at a small table in McDonalds on highway 61 said to me, "Are you from Mound Bayou?"
I turned to him and smiled so wide.
After being introduced to the neighborhood several days ago, I decided to go back yesterday to take pictures of the Taborian hospital and the Edwards ave street sign.
I assumed he saw me there yesterday.
I assumed he recognized me from the streets, that I looked familiar to him, that I was spotted as a tourist. And I was wrong...
He did recognize me but not because it was rural Mississippi and everyone knows everyone, and he happened to be recalling a fragment of yesterday's memory.
He recognized the pride and grace
He recognized the poise and education
He recognized a light
He saw me as part of a movement, part of a seed that was planted some time ago. A memory that clearly still lives today. To be from Mound Bayou meant to be from an all black successful, educated, privileged community that gave back. An all black community that had their own power, institutions and riches in a way that's not so rare in American history but unique nonetheless.
He told me he is a maintenance worker in the Cleveland school district, I told him I am a teacher.
We chatted about the state of of education in the Delta and for the rest of the day I felt drawn to their cause and wanted to come back to help.
Yes, in all honesty asking me if I was from Mound Bayou was truly the best compliment I've ever received!