I live in a tiny farming community in the middle of the rolling hills of the Palouse. This area produces some of the finest peas and lentils in the world. It is an area rich in farming traditions where schools understand that sometimes farm kids, and those kids who are working for local farmers during harvest, may not make it to school for the first week if harvest is still going on. The local Grange and the American Legion are still important social organizations. Neighbors know one another and loan out tools to one another or watch each others homes when someone goes on vacation. If your kids do something wrong, you will know about it before they even make it home. On the other hand, if your kids do something good, you also will hear about it very quickly and people will be talking about it and praising your kids. Win-Win! ;)
There is a great sense of community and concern here. When you walk into the bank or library you are greeted warmly and they ask how your vacation was or you chat with the teller about something cute their child did when you had them in class that day. The local clinic goes out of their way to get you in the same day when you are not feeling well and will give you samples of medications that you need to save you a trip into the bigger town to go to the pharmacy or to help you budget wise when needed. The nurses and doctors there really care and do not treat you like a file or just another patient to be pushed through so they can move onto the next room. When someone is going through a rough patch, people will show up with meals, produce from their garden and offers to help with whatever is needed. It is a town with a prayer chain and many volunteers who help distribute and deliver food to those in need.
I am so thankful that my husband and I were able to move here when our boys were very young and that we have become part of such a wonderful community. We have been here for 20 years as of yesterday and I can't imagine having lived in a better place. We are so blessed!
Embarking on and embracing this next chapter of my life where I start the great adventure of becoming a grandmother.
Debbie, you are lucky to live in a small town where there is still farms. I believe the small villages and towns are the best, just like you said because people help one another, community living is a way of life.If the futur lets us, Pierre and I will move to our cottage when Patrick is an adult.. over there, it's a small village and it's exactly how you describe it. :)
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you and Pierre will be able to do that Lucie. :)
DeleteYou are very blessed Debs! Do you know of any HVAC companies out there that are hiring? Tim said we could move anywhere I want as long as he has a job ;) Wouldn't that be grand?!! We would have a blast together!!
ReplyDeleteJayne, I would love that! If I hear of anything at all I will let you know...we do have some connections since Jeff used to work in construction. ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't live in a small town, but most of my family did and I loved going to visit! Your blog brought back some good memories, thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad this brought back some good memories for you Sandy. :)
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