Most of you that know me well also know that I frequently poke fun at the backwards little town that I live in. Each time I have to drive 30 miles to shop at Target, Walmart, Home Depot, or any other major retailer, I silently curse under my breath. When we want to go out to dinner and our "nice" option is Denny's I silently curse under my breath. When I want to go to the movies, or to an art gallery, or anywhere that would involve culture, I silently curse under my breath. HOWEVER, here are the reasons I love living in the sticks:
1. Everywhere I go, I know someone. I have a feeling this will come in very handy when the kids are teens! Whether we are at the grocery store, the post office, the dentist's office, the library, the football game or any other location in town, we see someone we know and they say hello and smile!
2. My kids have no clue what a mall actually is. Yes, they see commercials, but they believe absolutely everything can be purchased at Target.
3. During the holidays, the fire department rides through each and every neighborhood with Santa on a fire truck to collect toys for kids in needs. It has become our favorite family tradition and I just love it.
4. When someone is in need, there is NO HESITATION to help. I watched as 6 ladies with limited incomes came up with $100 for a family having a rough time this holiday season. It was done with great tact, and handled discreetly. I know that it will make that family's Christmas a little brighter.
5. Though our schools may not be the highest scoring schools, the joy and spirit our teachers bring to the classrooms is amazing. I helped 60 kinder students decorate gingerbread houses that were made by their teachers last night. Stockings with treats were presented to them by Santa because our teachers know that this may be the only present some of our kids may receive. All of this was done with limited parent donations, and paid for out of our teacher's own pockets. I watched as 120 2nd graders performed for their parents and 3rd grade buddies with pride and joy. It was not lit professionally and did not have an amazing sound system, instead a wonderful teacher played an old piano beautifully and the kids sang their hearts out!
I love my little town and all the crazy, kooky people in it. We by no means have tons of culture, art, or fine dining, but there is so much love and genuine joy here that I am proud to call this my home. I am sure that each and every one of you lives in a place just as wonderful, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Merry Christmas.
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