Small Towns Aren't For Everyone

Everyone is always trying to escape, or so they say. But they never leave. If you get arrested or divorced, your name will appear in the paper. You can't go into a store without running into someone you know. And your reputation is based entirely on your character.

Small towns aren't for everyone. They aren't for loners. They aren't for thrill-seekers. They aren't for the unsettled. They aren't for the infamous.

Small towns are for people who love putting down roots. For people who love to daydream. For people who like to know who their neighbors are. For people who like to bake goodies for their church potluck. For people who like to build a tribe of faithful and loyal people to call on in their hour of need. Small towns are for people who have hearts just like mine.

I used to live in a town where I rarely ran into anyone I knew. 80,000 people makes blending in with the crowd simple and easy. I never worried that my ill actions would put a stain on my reputation. I never worried that I would have to work through conflict or learn how to socialize with people in the Post Office line. But then I moved 1,500 miles to the small town I now call home.

Everyone is always telling me they want to leave. Chances are, they never will. And though I smile in understanding as they complain about the downsides of living in a small town, it pains me that they can't see what I love about a small town of 9,000.

They miss the beauty of running into acquaintances everywhere they go. They miss the love people have for each other. They miss the neighbor that bakes 200 cupcakes for her church and walks through the neighborhood dropping off leftovers at each door. They miss the simplicity of children riding their bikes carefree through the neighborhood. They miss out on helping people. They miss the back row pew that faithfully sits waiting for them every Sunday. They miss out on getting to know people--I mean, really getting to know who these people are. They miss out on the stories. They miss out on the history.

I was not raised in a small town, and one will never be my hometown, but this small town has become the place I wake every day with a smile on my face. Because I know what whatever trials await me, I have built a small tribe of people who will--without fail--always help me, save me, and rescue me. Just like I would do for them.

Small towns aren't for everyone. They aren't for people who can't appreciate the simplistic beauty of a community of people who challenge one another to grow. They aren't for people who can't overlook silly gossip and carry on about their day. They aren't for people who don't choose to rise above their difficulties or challenges.

But they are for people just like me. People who gleefully walk in to pay their utility bill because they love running into people they know.