I'm one who agrees with the latter. I wouldn't live any other way! (Besides - have you seen my city driving?) Oh, I agree. Sometimes news does travel faster than a toupee in a hurricane. And that "hometown nice" - it may be tested if you accidently say something unpleasant to a friend about their relative. Yikes! Need I mention that eighty percent of us are also related? Yep! Sixty plus years and I'm still learning who is related to who!
But ya know, this smalltown thing isn't really that bad. We may not have a Scooters on every corner, and we're certainly not just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the symphony or a broadway play, but does it really matter? Most of us would pass on any of those distinquished events, just as long as we can watch our high school boys play on the gridiron or basketball court on Friday night.
So the last couple of weeks, small God winks have gently reminded me of why I have chosen to live most of my life in this small town. You know, life sure is pretty good here in Avoca, Iowa. Listen up and I think you'll agree.
The other day, a local friend stopped by with a jar of fresh homemade salsa. And then another neighbor brought me a dozen eggs. He refuses to let me pay full price when he can get them from his daughter's farm for half. Only in a small town!
And remember when that windstorm went threw town and played havic on our trees? I dreaded going out to clean up the mess. But you know what? Before I could even grab a pair of gloves, another neighbor had already finished picking up all the broken branches and torn leaves. Only in a small town!
And sometimes, I swear there's a sixth sense between us. When I was feeling a bit melancholoy the other day, one of those local relatives gifted me with a very old picture of my father and his brothers. Amazing! And then, the very next day - another local dropped off old military photos of my mother's brothers. Both were such huge acts of kindness, especially since all those pictured are no longer with us! Only in a small town!
And here's one more "smalltown" moment. This one blew me away! A few days ago, a local gentleman called and informed me he was cleaning out his departed mother-in-law's belongings. She had been one of my elementary teachers - a favorite one at that. He, being an Avoca implant, must have fighure out my maiden name and he called to let me know he had something for me.
So here we are, just this week at a community event, when he hands me this envelope. I open it up, and much to my surprise is a picture of my third grade class AND - (Get This) - a poem, in my own 3rd grade handwriting,that I had masterfully created. OH MY GOODNESS! Do you have any idea how old that poem is? Well, let's just say, that paper had to be plenty dusty! Amazing! Only in a small town!
So friends, I'll argue you all day long as to where to live to experience the best life. But no matter where you live, I pray that you all experience at least once in your life- all the kindness and love - that you can find - always in a small town!!
Just the last two verses. Now you know why I don't post poems!!!
