Small Town Life

As I was walking to church this morning for the 8 am mass, I recalled a lunch conversation from earlier in the week. The fellow I was talking to was relating that the restaurant where we were dining was going to close at the end of February, and part of the problem that the owners of our company have encountered is the reluctance of chefs to locate away from the big city. I suppose that it might be true that one does not have access to all of the cosmopolitan cultural outlets that are available in a larger city. We could debate whether that's good or bad, because it also means that we don't have all of the negatives.

I have often said that the bad thing about living in a small town is that everyone knows your business. Very little remains private in a small town. However, the good thing about living in a small town is that everyone knows your business. Neighbors know when you're not home, and look out for your property. If you need service, chances are good that you know the person who answers your call. Everything is more personal.

My lunch partner also relayed how many of his friends are amazed when he tells them that the nearest Wal-Mart is 20 minutes away. That may be, but from my home, I can walk to church, the post office, the library, the kids' schools, the grocery store, and our Knights of Columbus hall. A few things are a little farther away, but still within bicycle range, including the hardware store, the YMCA, and even my place of work in the next town. Plus, our town has sidewalks, good roads, and is well lit. When it's warmer, I can go for a run at night without having to worry about running in a bad neighborhood, down unlit streets, or out in the road where a passing car might get too close.

Some people think that they need big city amenities. I happen to like the ones I get in my village.