You learn a lot, working in a public place.
Today, for example, I've had conversations about everything - from the cafeteria is making more wraps for lunch to the weather and isn't-it-a-shame-the-park-grass-will-be-all-ripped-up when the semis hauling the carnival rides sink into the soft ground and the latest potluck get-together news. There's a timelessness to it all, to the time-worn queries and sighings over the weather and the concerns that small-town life bring - and a sweetness I never found in other places I've lived.
There's a comfort in living here, in knowing not only my son will be safe as he rides his bike to his friend's house*, but neighbors along the way will note that he goes by and remark upon it as they drink their tea or hang out their wash or flip on their computers (we're not quite as 50's-ish as immediately appears) and Bear will get queried about it by tomorrow afternoon.
Because my young'uns are part of this community now. Assimilated into the great patch-work of it all, of births and deaths and heartbreaks and tradition, of other people watching my kids grow up, remembering in the back of their minds what my husband was like as a child.
Some of them remember when B rode his bike by himself for the first time too.
*For the first time! All by himself! How did he get so big so fast?
7 comments:
This is a big reason I want to move; we are really missing that where we live. Nice.
The bicycle thing... I say that a lot. I want to live someplace where my daughter can ride her bike without my feeling like I have to keep my eyes on her.
You are so lucky---and your kids too. Places like that seem to be vanishing. I love it that some of your neighbours remember seeing your husband go through the same stages. I miss that continuity, being part of the patchwork of one particular place. Too late now, but I wish I could have given that to my kids. Liz is determined to make up for it though with her boys!
It's the only thing I miss about living in the 'burbs: the neighbor I could throw a shoe at (if I had to).
It's great that you live somewhere that you know it's safe for him to do that. I'm sure our parents let us go out bikeriding alone at a much earlier age...
You are spot on. We've spoken to so many people here who specifically wanted to bring their kids up in this sort of community. They have also been sort of trying to persuade us to emigrate - like we need much persuading! We are at the Blackberry Shore B&B at Mersey Point until tomorrow - my kids are the weird "British kids" who have been monopolising the pirate ship down at the park since Tuesday! We will probably be down there again if they ever get those rides up and running!
Community. When I grew up I remember it was all about them being in my business. Now it's just a nice big sigh (but staying out of my business wouldn't be a bad thing).
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