The first two weeks living in a small town were a shock to my system. There was absolutely no place to shop. We were two hours from civilization. We were two days from family. It was culture shock. I eventually adjusted to the differences. When we came to our first 4th of July I was introduced to a small-town parade.
I often comment that living here in Alamosa is similar to going back in time about 20 years. That is very true for our celebrations. Our parade isn't very long, but it is a lot of fun. The participants throw candy to the children, they shoot guns off,
there are plenty of tractors and horses,
signs on the floats are miss-spelled,
and best of all, you know half of the people in the parade.
Andrew and Connor got to march with the cub scouts in the parade. They had a fun time and still got some candy at the end. One of their scout leaders also happens to be our nurse.
She has given Andrew appoximately 468 shots since we have moved here. We fasted and prayed for her through her chemotherapy and radiation after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has helped us through many illnesses, including Danielle's most recent mosquito bite on her eye.
In small towns, people are there for each other in a way that I hadn't previously experienced.
We had a great day at the parade, invited 8 families to our house for a bar-be-que and then ended at the fireworks which were paid for by a local bank and offered much excitement in starting a few little fires and nearly setting a couple of residents on fire.
Speaking of our small town, the City Hall/Library complex is coming right along. It will be beautiful when it is done.
The fire station is nearly done on the end of the current city hall. Once the new building is finished the current city hall will be remodeled into a new Police Station.
This project has been so challenging but will be so good ultimately for our community. Nathan has worked so hard, since we moved here, and I think he does an amazing job.
Small-town life can be challenging in many ways, especially when you aren't from that small town. Still, I am impressed by the tenacity of a people who live and work in such a brutal climate. I love being exposed to an agricultural lifestyle and the faith that comes with it. I admire the generations who came and stayed to build this community. Most of all, I like feeling a part of a small community.
Back in May we met our friends the Fletchers in Denver and spent a day together at the Science museum. We met through our homeschooling group when when they moved here and became fast friends. We got together several times each week, and they were an inspiration to our family. The boys were best friends, and we learned a lot more about ranching from them. We also learned a lot about hard work, prayer, faith and attitude. It was hard for us when they moved away.
When they moved to Alamosa, Tanya was expecting a baby. The doctors told her from her ultrasound that their baby would be born missing limbs from the elbows and knees on. Tanya and Regin were happy to take their baby, however she came. They were not expecting when she was born to find that she was born without any limbs. She was tiny. I held her Dally when she was first born. She was so little and so fragile with only her left foot having three toes, and a right toe.
We have watched Dally grow up. She is already three, and can feed herself, go up and down stairs, walk, play with toys and even pick her nose. She has a happy nature and is amazingly independent. Her parents don't think she is limited in what she can do....instead they figure out creative solutions to help her do whatever she wants. They are currently in the process of figuring out a way that she can ride horses with the rest of the family. She has a wheelchair that she was able to manipulate in and out of elevators and through the exhibits at the museum.
I know it is because of the faith of her parents and brothers that Dally is leading such a rich and full life. I could write volumes about all the lessons I learn from them. I feel privileged to know their family and am grateful to call them friends.
