One of the best things about living in a small town is this: when you need people, they are right there.
They know you. They understand you. Even if you haven’t seen them in two years, they remember the way your kid shared his snack with their kid in kindergarten, and they will always love you for it.
Small town life means that everyone knows who is fighting and who is making up. They know who has moved out of the house, and they rally around to support both the one who moved out and the one who was left behind.
Small town life means that when kids step out of line, their crimes will be discussed at “Wild Cuts” hair salon. It means that when someone who isn’t yet married becomes pregnant, we all know the Momma, we all know the Dad and we all pitch in for a fabulous shower.
Life out here in a Small Town is filled with petty political squabbles and the strutting swaggers of ridiculous Big Fish. But it is also filled with gentle souls who have been here forever, and who welcome every new face.
Life in a Small Town means gossip and secrets and everyone turning out for the funeral of a local veteran.
It means that when a young man dies suddenly in a crash, there will be no shortage of flowers, prayers, mourners or covered dishes.
Small town life means that when a middle aged woman finds herself stranded at home alone on the third weekend in a row, she can put out the call to all of the other women in town. She can be honest and tell them that her husband is off on another jaunt and she is looking for some fun and some Saturday night company.
Small town life means that even though all of those women are busy with weddings, graduations, first Communions and baby showers, many of them will drop by to say Hi. It means that after a day of cleaning, cooking and setting up the wine glasses, the middle aged lady in question can put aside her fears (“No one will come. Everyone is busy. This was a stupid idea!”) and enjoy an evening in the company of friends who understand her.
Small town life means that we are all included. It means that when one of us sends up a distress call, many of us will answer.
Thanks to the ladies of my small town who came by tonight to eat, drink, be merry and share a story or two!!! I love you all.
Empty Nest, Full Life 
This is so sweet!
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Thank you! Sometimes these little life events are what keep me grounded and sane. Glad you stopped by!
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Yep and it’s total bullshit. Small towns are full of small minded, gossiping, backstabbers and Big Fish blowing their horns. If your baby goat (aka “kid”) does not have the right last name, they will never be in the Homecoming Court or the Jr. Beta Club, etc. etc. etc. and all their former kindergarten, elementary “friends” will begin to shun them in high school. The “adults” practice the same form of “clique-ism” with those who speak their OWN mind and don’t subscribe to the Hive Mind mentality of the rest of the drones and butt kissers. The small town described above is either Mayberry 1955 or a product of someone’s wishful imagination. Narcissism has infested every strata of our society today from the top all the way down to “Mayberry.” Yep. Total Pollyanna bullshit.
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Ouch. Sorry that you’ve had such a bad experience. A lot of what you say is true everywhere, but I promise that this small town experience was real. I meant what I wrote. I don’t always love it here, and I have learned to ignore the clubs and social cliques by cultivating a few close friendships. I also live most of my social life outside of this town.
You need to maybe get some support and help for that bitterness, and I say that with kindness.
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Funny how this big world of ours is getting more like a small town.
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Especially for those of us who do live in a really small town! But a funny thing about Sat. night, where I had a very disparate group of friends at my house, was that it reminded me of the blogging world, only in real life!
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I’m glad your friends came through, but Paul needs to spend this coming weekend with you. If he doesn’t balance out his camping trips, he may find himself living in a tent permanently!
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Hahaha! I will have to tell him that!
No worries; we have a nice family weekend planned!
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So sorry I missed this fabulous night. I am so there the next time.
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