My town, My people!

I love my home town!
No! I really do!
I like being able to walk down the street and know almost everyone.
I like waving to neighbors when I walk to the store,
or drive down the street.


A few years back, there was an accident at our home
It happened the day of our annual Covered Wagon's Day Parade.
A man had a seizure after seeing the blinking lights of the patrol cars.
conveniently parked at each end of main street, detouring traffic.
He was going well over 60 m.p.h. when he hit out neighbors garage, bouncing him over to our fence line, where his truck tore it out.
He then hit our back steps, which forced him back over to out neighbors,
upon which he took out their clothes line, and ended up in their shed.


We had just walked in the door. Nathaniel was sitting near the window closest to the fence. Our youngest son, in the back bedroom, watching t.v. just a few feet from our back door. Our neighbors were gone.


My neighbor just happens to be the chief of police, and my husbands cousin.
We felt terrible for the destruction of their home, while rejoicing that the damage to our property and lives was very low.


Within minutes, our neighbors were there. 


After the all clear was given by the gas and electric company, our neighbors pitched in and helped pick up the debris. All of our neighbors things that were stored in the garage, were now all over the yard. It really didn't take long for everyone to clean it up, put their stuff in boxes and bags, and store it next to their home.


Our neighbors brought us something to drink, patted us on the back, and went back to their homes.


That night, a few neighbors and friends still stopping by to see the now non-existent fence, garage, clothes line, and shed just sat and visited.
We caught up with friends we hadn't really talked to in years, met some new friends, and thanked everyone who wanted to pitch in and help.


Now, I know this doesn't happen everywhere. (I did live in L.A. for a time)


But I like knowing that the people who live around us really do care, even when we only share the occasional wave or nod of a head.


No, we don't have all night stores, or hang outs, like people have in large cities. We don't have a mall, or a multitude of convenience stores. 


We have something much more important! It is knowing someone will always have your back if you need them, just as we would for them.


It isn't the buildings that make this town great, or even the single stop light. It is the people. The cat lady who we never see come out of her house. The people across the street that came to America for a better life and after years of work, became citizens. The couple with all the kids down the block, who wave and ask if we want to come play. The older couple on the end of our block who are always kind and loving to their pets. The young adults who share a house and have a party every now and then, (and play good music.) Our cousin and chief of police who works hard at keeping us safe. It is all these people and more.


Yes! I really do love this town!