My dad was in the Air Force so we moved constantly. I went to a number of different schools and it seemed that just about the time I started feeling like I belonged we would move again.

Deep down inside I always thought it would be really great to live somewhere like Mayberry where everyone knew you or your family.

Mr. Wonderful has moved me to many small towns in our 33 years together. We lived in a small rural town in South Dakota when our girls were young and everyone knew everyone else. It was a common practice for men to tip their hats when walking by a lady or at least nodding to one another as you pasted.

Basically you were acknowledging the other person or their family. If you didn't know them personally you still probably knew their family members. People acknowledged you on the road also. I found this to be a charming custom.

One spring day, the girls and I were sitting outside on a bench waiting for Mr. Wonderful. He had gone into the town's only drug store to pick up some needed items. It was a warm spring day so Grrrl and I started "people watching". Whenever a man walked by he would tip his hat or say, "Good Morning" as he walked by. If a lady walked by, she would inevitably stop and comment on how beautiful my children were and asked how the family was (pretending that she knew us while subtly pumping me for information on my pedigree.) The following conversation would occur between Grrrl and I afterwards.

Grrrl: " Who was that?"

Me: "I don't know."

This scenario was repeated at least three or four times with the same question and the same answer between me and my oldest daughter. When it happened again and again she asked me the same question I got very frustrated and answered some what sharply.

Grrrl: "Who was that?"

Me: "Honey, I don't know everybody in this town."

Grrrl: ( Answering even more indignantly) "Seems to me you don't know anybody in this town!"

I had to laughingly admit that she was correct. I was some what taken back by the wisdom of a three year old, but then Grrrl has always been keenly observant. As nice as it is to "go where every body knows your name" I've also discovered it's really nice to be able to go about your business without being stopped every three or four steps to greet someone.

Which do you prefer? The small town or big city?

Labels: Becky, Monday memories