Like most of the folks who might read this passage, I was brought up in a very small town. It was a town of Friday night football games, gas station gossip, and children playing in sprinklers. I remember growing up on a small farm in the country, and I wouldn't have changed it for the world. The only rules I had were to say off the road and be home by dark. I would spend all day outside exploring and hiking in the woods. The amazing part was that our parents had peace of mind even though we were out on our own. It was a time and place where one of the worst crimes you could do was to cut up in church. In my small town, you knew everyone in town and everyone knew you. For me personally, this gave me a sense of accountability. You just never knew who was watching you. Growing up, if you caused trouble, word got back to your parents before you even got home. We learned good manners, how to behave, and how to appreciate what we had. Growing up here, you either lived on a farm, worked on a farm, had a family member that farmed, or knew someone close to the family that farmed. We knew how much work it took to raise the food and animals that a lot of other people take for granted. A home-cooked meal often meant a homegrown meal as well. I lived in the big city, and enjoyed it for awhile, but when it came time to put down roots and raise a family, I knew exactly where I wanted to be. So today, I am thankful for my small town.
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