Thankful Day 12: Tiny Towns

As we sat as a family having dinner out tonight an old man passed by our table and patted Bear on the head, stopped, and made silly faces at him to get a smile. He said, "I love to see babies smile", and he went on his way.

If we were still in Phoenix and a man had raised his hand to pat my child's head, I probably would have gone all WWF on him, tackled him, and turned his wrinkly bones to powder.

But here, that would just seem rude.

We live in a town of less than 18000 people, most of whom are either related, or someday will be. Everyone knows everyone, and everyone knows every one's business. But we're all friendly. A man we met a few weeks ago who's wife is in stage 3 dementia called me on the phone the other day just to tell me he enjoyed talking to us. (I gave him my number in case he needed help around his house).                                        

Where else would you hand out your number to a stranger and not only expect, but get, a phone call saying, "hi"?

You can't go to the post office... bank... grocery store without running into someone you know, or leave without getting to know someone new.

I'm thankful for our sleepy little town and the comfort that comes with feeling like you are constantly surrounded by a close-knit family community.

Um...With the notable exception of our neighbors, "Charlie and Lindsay".

(Please recall the previous posting from March 22nd)