One morning I got locked out of my house at 3 AM. Long story. Don't ask. I assure you it is nothing as interesting as it sounds. Brad, as it turns out, is a very heavy sleeper. So, at 3 in the morning I am pounding on the door, calling Brad, ringing the doorbell, and yelling in a whisper for Brad to open the door. Finally, Brad realized I was outside and let me in. No big deal. The next morning, at 6 am, Brad got a phone call from the mailman, asking if Brad and I had broken up. Apparently, the story at Sparky's coffee hour was that Brad and I had gotten into a fight and he had kicked me out. Lol, such is the life in a small town.
Everyone knows everyone's business and if you for one minute think you have any secrets, you are sadly deluded. Everyone knows where you are, what you're doing, who with, and when you'll be back. It's annoying, intrusive, smothering, and all around ridiculous! But I wouldn't trade a minute of it.
At the same time, everyone is there for you in any way you need. Childcare, cup of milk, shoulder to cry on, friendly wave, a lift, help when you're sick.....You name it and in Lytton, IA, if its within anyone's means it'll happen.
Its my favorite thing about living in a small town. When I was at college in Iowa City, I was amazed at how NO ONE on the street smiled or said hello. I knew I was getting close to northwest Iowa because people I would meet on the road would wave. It feels friendly, warm, familiar. Its home. It's about always having someone to share yours joys, yours fears, and failures with. Its never being alone.
I can't imagine it any other way.
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