Life before 2008 19 Aug 2005 05:15 am
my medium sized town
Blissfully mundane miracles around every corner….
Yesterday I realized that I almost never wait in lines anymore. Well, unless I’ve been a “freakin’ idiot” (thankyou Napoleon Dynamite!) and gone to Walmart on a Saturday! But in my day, traffic lines cycle through in one light, checkers are fast and incredilbly friendly, not to mention “mentally engaged” in what they are doing! And I had what was a common experience here but a nearly surreal one for me.
I went to the bank. (I told you it was mundane!). There was a problem with my new debit card and pin number and I had been procrastinating going to the “main office” downtown, thinking it would be a hairy ordeal with four kids in this recent heat. I needn’t of worried.
It was lunch time, which should have meant a crowd, but I got a front and center parking place. The spacious office was full of smiling and happy co-workers and a few older people taking care of thier business. I was helped quickly and no one looked at my somewhat active children like they were escaped from the Knox Zoo. In fact, they go a step further and CONVERSE with the kids! This is totally new to me and it continues to happen everywhere we go. In fact, they have “friends” in the sports, photo, kids, toy, and checkout section of Walmart. Two at Kroger. Three or four at Horn of Plenty. Thier behavior in stores has dramtically improved for one reason: the adults around them don’t act like they are invisible. It really makes a huge difference.
The bank was so easy! I was in and out in 10 minutes but I could have easily stayed and chatted for longer in comfort. The drive-thru ATM is somthing I appreciated, having come from Navy Federal, which didn’t have them. It’s nice to not have to unload everyone for everything little thing.
It seems we constantly observe that Maryville is not a sleepy little town, but actually an “about to burst” town on the cusp of becoming a city. And yet, the people here don’t seem to know it. They act as if it’s a small town where everyone know’s your name and everyone deserves kindness and respect. It’s amazing and hard to describe. I go around with the silliest grin on my face half the time!
Today my parents are here! It’s hard to beleive that they are really just a mile down the road, having continental breakfast, and will be here in less than an hour rather than a day’s drive away! We’ve got a fun day planned with ever-evolving event changes. Mostly I’m sure, we’ll just enjoy being around each other again for a little while.
Have I written about Stripey Tomatoes yet? I’m going to have to go look. If not, buckle your seatbelt becasue a big ole food post is headed your way…
