Small towns.

Had to update my computer security, so I sent an email to the guy who usually does it.  Basically a, when can I come in and get this, and let me know how much so I can pay you.  I was fully expecting a "come in Thursday, after 10 am" or some such.

I received a reply email, with "here's the code for your new update, bring the funds in when you have a chance."

Huh!  I suppose there is something to going to the same person for a while, but I thought this was kind of cool.

But I have noticed, that it seems like that in this area, that isn't really THAT unusual.  I know that its' very common for clerks to ask about your pet/child/job and how they are, and if family member x is doing okay... I have heard it termed "fish bowl".  Now, when I was a kid, it was annoying, good or bad, it would get to my parents before I got home.  (Not just me, all of we kids were 'monitored' and remarked upon in the local grapevine.)  Occasionally, I had to be careful who I saw, or told about Christmas/birthday presents for my parents, because I knew they would probably be on the phone to Mom, "oh, you're going to LOVE what she is getting for you..."

Urk. 

But. 

The flip side of that, I knew I could contact most any of the adults I knew, to get assistance, contact my parents, or even get tar off my feet. (Note to 8 year old self, walking barefoot on the road where they had finished paving not a day or two before, in 90 degree weather. Don't. Just. Don't.)  

Now, it seems to not be as common.  It's still there, peeking out from time to time, but I am not as familiar with some of the local families, there aren't as many community items that "everyone" goes to.  With the internet, there are ways to meet people, even through the local school news website, or the local paper. (Yep, still a real paper, but a much diminished one.) 

But I do know that if people see something, magically they show up.  When Husband had brought back a sailboat, from our attempt to become sailors, we were going to put it in our barn.  We went from Husband and I, and the boat, to a group of about 10-12 people (mostly guys), who were just as eager as all get out to see the boat, find out what was happening, did Husband need any help, are you going to do anything with it now, etc, etc, etc...

When my Mom and I were in the car wreck, Dad asked for help to get my apartment cleaned out.  I think he asked one or two people, I gather that there was about 20 or so there, bingo, to help.  Now, this lead to some... Different packing styles, (to this day I will never figure out why my nylons were packed with a cheese grater, and someone carefully wrapped bath towels to safely transport... my toilet brush), but it was taken care of, and we ended up getting all the the detritus of a college student home, before the landlord could charge in and make a stink about an extra month's rent...

And it wasn't limited to family.  Where Dad worked helped with building a ramp while Mom and I were wheelchair bound. 

I think that small towns, and the closeness, are still there.  I just think they are more hidden, and you just have to look a bit quicker to see them.  But it's nice to know it's still around.