July 9, 2012

The all school reunion and 125th celebration this past weekend got me to thinking about small town living.  Now small and town may  mean some hold connotations of varying degrees, depending on where one live, but a town is still comprised of people, and that's what makes it special no matter the population.

So, inviting these folks back to town carries with it a spectrum of emotions.  what will they think of us, living in the sticks of southwest Minnesota when they have all gone off to see the world?  Will they consider us to be hicks?

Not to worry.  Those who returned to slayton last weekend did so because they wanted to, or maybe even yearned to in order to experience something of the  place where they once called home.

Seeing the town and its people through these visitors' eyes, one begins to garner a whole new appreciation for it.

These are but a few of the things heard in passing this weekend:  "I have to get a beef commercial while I'm here!"  "This is a fabulous library!"  "I hear a Hub Drive-In burger and fries calling my name...."  "Slayton will always be my home."

I spied more than one unfamiliar vehicle trolling the side streets, perhaps seeking a glimpse of their childhood home, or some other significant landmark?  It was intriguing to watch them pointing to this or that, and then seeing the smiles that followed. 

Yes, for 48 hours the town was abuzz with traffic and activities as it hosted the bevy of visiting guests and welcomed them back to the place they will always call "home".

More thoughts on what life in a small town means to me:

-A small town is where the bank tellers know you and call you by the first name; a bank error can be corrected somewhat effortlessly because of this familiarity.

-The grocery store carry out employee knows which vehicle is yours and has your purchases tucked away inside the unlocked car before you leave the store; grocery checkout clerks know your answer to the question, "paper or plastic", thus avoiding the inevitable question.

-Men open doors for women.  And women appreciate it.

-Big advertising placards are placed smack dab in the middle of main street's busiest intersection, touting the ice cream social or picnic in the park.  Nobody ever runs over the sign or rear ends another driver because of the sign - it's just always been that way.

-A person in need is never abandoned.  Generosity and support flow freely in a small town.  We're all in it together after all.

-A smile and friendly wave come from most everyone you meet.

-You know your neighbors and socialize with them regularly.

-An evening stroll can be drawn out twice as long as expected just because  you stop to visit with three or four people along the way.