I have a confession to make…..I don’t live in small townAmerica….I am a wanna-be. You see, my sister and I have opened this store together in her neck of the woods (aka Davis, SD) and I travel up from Omaha, NE (metroarea population of 400,000+) each and every chance I can get to help man the store. But in my mind small town America rocks!! From day one I have been made to feel like part of the community. I am welcomed by name (think of Norm on Cheers!), I have people who are 100% sincere when they ask “How are you doing?” and they stick around to hear your reply…AND they ask follow-up questions so it turns into a real conversation! Our Sunday paper didn’t get delivered this weekend. And one gentlemen who came into the store noticed that it was lacking, do you know what he did? He took it upon himself to drive to the next town over and buy us one. BAM! He saw a need and stepped up without expectation of anything more than a thank you. But there are so many other reasons even beyond these two minor examples of why these places are wonderful. I struggle to put it into words. Its like we took a step back into time (while keeping the modern day conveniences thank goodness) to a period when life was focused on people instead of things. A true community that is supportive instead of competitive. Gosh, if only I was a author or writer who could find the right words to describe it. In the meantime, I am back in my own city where I can only try to personify the small-town feeling in the hope that it can take root and spread anywhere and everywhere else. God Bless small town America! -signed “Someone who wished she lived in one” p.s. Davis has some houses that are currently for sale if you are interested in having this experience yourself :) |