SMALL TOWN PEOPLE
Yesterday we took a drive with some friends to a small town with a Main Street. Every small town has a Main Street. As we entered the Main Street Cafe, it was obvious we were in for a real treat.
The owner took our order. He asked where we were from. He talked with us as though we were all long-time friends. He talked about "back in the day" when teens and young adults had a safe place to hang out, have fun and have teachable moments--all in one place. He introduced us to his wife and staff. He told us stories of people who patronized his charming establishment, and knowingly joked with us about things we did when we were in our teens (you know, that whole "peace and love" thing :)
He lamented over the slow, agonizing death of this small town's vitality. Main Street was where everything happened, and everyone went to see and be seen. Now most of the shops have closed down, the Mom-and-Pop grocery stores are abandoned to the big-box store that opened up a couple of miles down the road, and his cafe (which had FABULOUS food at reasonable prices) lost its appeal to the younger generation that now prefers the fast-food chains with WiFi and artificially created foods.
As we walked down to the lone antique shop on Main Street, my friends and I lamented that no one talks to each other anymore. Teens and young adults, for the most part, don't understand the value of face time and one-on-one conversation. Everything nowadays is texting, Facebook, and other "social" media (or should it be called "antisocial media"?) You've seen it yourself--you go into a restaurant to witness a young couple "having dinner," each engaged in his or her individual, private conversations with others on their smart phones, rather than enjoying leisurely dinnertime conversation. I've even known adults--married couples--who are guilty of the same thing. Meaningful conversation is a lost art. While technology is certainly to be given credit for making many things in life easier and more efficient, it has also driven a wedge between human beings who, whether they realize it or not, have a deep longing to connect--REALLY connect--with others.
I come from a small town. I used to make fun of that, but then I grew up and realized the treasure that was my hometown. Now I wouldn't have it any other way--I love being a small-town girl. Big cities are interesting and sometimes beautiful in their own way, but life in a small town is real. Small towns are where beautiful songs, heartfelt poetry and peaceful art come from. It makes me sad to see these historical places get lost in the wave of modernization. It makes me sadder still to know that this is happening and hardly a soul notices.
Have you noticed? Do you care?
