My Small Town

The best thing about my small town is that everyone knows pretty much everything about me.  The worst thing about my small town is that everyone knows pretty much everything about me.  Anyone from a rural community will understand what I mean.

I’m a little late getting my post out this week because I’ve been getting a lot of phone calls and emails from my small town people.  They found out I had surgery last week and are concerned about my recovery, which is going very well, by the way.

What I love about my small town is this very thing.  People care.  They are genuinely concerned and want to encourage each other.  If one of our neighbors hits a down turn, is ill or just got a promotion at work, people care.  Yes, some can be nosy and no, not everyone is concerned or cares, but by and large, small town people aren’t nosy and are concerned and care about what is going on with their neighbors.

Small towns can be clannish and cliquish and it takes work to guard against becoming that kind of place.  People who weren’t raised here or marry into the community can be put off by all the questions asked.  

“Where did you come from?”

“Why did you move here?”

“How many kids/grandkids do you have?”

“Where do you work?”

“When did you retire?”

“What are your hobbies?”

“What size shoe do you wear?”

“Do you brush your teeth at least twice a day?”

These aren’t nosy questions.  They are just requests for information and an attempt to get to know the newest members of the community.  For people from larger cities, it could be viewed as an invasion of privacy.  They aren’t accustomed to complete strangers talking to them or showing interest in them.  Our curiosity is strange to new comers to our little burg.  We mean well and keep in mind, we treat everyone this way, it isn’t just you.

Before too long, we know your dog’s name, who to call if the wayward animal roams too far from home and let you now that Fido is on a leash at the back door of city clerk’s home with plenty of food, water and shade until you return home. 

Yes, I love my small town and I usually brush my teeth at least three times a day.

Blessings!