Going back in time

As I mentioned in my previous post, I was able to attend my paternal grandfather's athletic hall of fame induction.  This meant driving about 90 minutes to my grandparents' home town.  To say it is a tiny school in a tiny village is a bit of an understatement.  Even the current graduating classes are only around 40 students.  There are no stoplights in the town, and it is just a quaint little place to be.  Both of my grandparents and all of their siblings graduated there, and my dad and his sister attended elementary school, but my grandparents moved to my hometown for the additional opportunities.  Driving to this little town feels in many ways like going back in time because it is such a small little place with few amenities.

There was more to it though.  I drove past the house where my great-grandfather lived when I was a child.  He didn't pass until I was 14, so I have many memories of being in that house.  I also drove past my great-aunt's house, and my great-uncle's house, and since our family gathered for Christmas every year until I graduated from college, there were many times spent in those homes.  Of course sadly, I also spent time in that town for various family funerals.

As I walked into the basketball, I realized how much I miss being a part of a community like that.  I'm not sure I could go quite as small as that little village, but I love how everyone knows everyone.  I recognize there could be some downsides to that, but I love that the school is the center of the community, and the center of the lives really, of those who live there.  I miss that sense where everyone has the same goals and their is just so much support.  I recognize how many more opportunities and benefits there are in this town, but I truly have come to realize there is a downside to it as well.