Living in a small town (and choosing) to love it.

So... I've had this post in my saved list for a while now and I just couldn't decide if and when I wanted to post it. I kept thinking I should go back and re-read it to make sure I explained myself and my thoughts clearly. But, I decided I'm just going to post it and believe my heart will be heard:

I've lived in a small town all my life. Even when I went away to college I went to George Fox University which is in Newberg, another small(ish) town. Though larger than my hometown, it isn't exactly a huge city. When I moved away to college I swore that I'd never move back to my small town home (little did I know!). I just knew that I would be on to bigger and better places. This whole small town thing was certainly fine to grow up in but I knew that I never wanted to live there as an adult. There wasn't enough things to do, places to go, people to meet. I just really didn't want to be an adult living in a small town. Well... without going into a lot of details, I ended up back in my hometown. I now live and work there.

I have decided to change my outlook on things. Ever since I moved back, I never really let myself encompass the idea that I'm here. I never really imagined raising kids here, I just wouldn't let myself picture that part of my life here. I love working here, I just wasn't sure I loved living here. But things have changed, in part due to the death of a well loved, community minded, retired high school counselor. Through experiencing all the emotions of losing a community member I have been feeling pretty reflective. I realize that my attitude hasn't been, well... good. I would see someone in Wal-Mart or Safeway or Bi-mart (and right now I'm embarrased to admit this) that I know, and I would quickly turn and head another direction, avoid having a conversation, try to avoid being noticed. I am feeling pretty embarrassed, more than that actually. I am feeling completely humbled. Face on ground.

Ms. Portmann's life is a testimony of how great it can be (and should be) to live in a small town. A small town lets you be known, lets you get involved in everything, lets people know you (AND say hi to you in Safeway!! Because they care and want to say hi!!), lets you serve your community and be known by your neighbors.

I am going to choose to love it. I am going to choose to know my neighbors and say hi to them, offer to help them. I will serve my community and the people in it. I will have a conversation in Wal-Mart. I need to realize that I am blessed to live here. It's not always easy feeling like everyone knows your business, but yet at the same time those are the same people who will rally around you when you're hurting or sick. They will support you when you need it, because you have invested time into their lives.

I will choose to love this sweet, small town and recognize the blessing of it!