my small town attitude

I've been discovering lots of new blogs on blogger and it feels like the early Jland days for me. *sigh* So nice to be sharing in the experiences of people all over.

I've decided that if everyone had a small town attitude, the world would be a better place. It really warms my heart to feel the kindness and friendliness everywhere I go... whether it's at the school to register Austin or at the Rite Aid dropping off a prescription. There are no walls here... people don't have that distant "I don't know you and I don't want to know you" perspective. Everyone... everywhere... just smiles and says hello and tries to make a connection of how they might know you or yours.

Austin is in school today. I worried. I stressed. I stayed to speak with the counselor after she walked him to his classes. I let her know a little of what he's been through. We discussed my plan for building community for both of us. She spoke really highly of our church and of Austin's prospects there. She's looking out for him. His science teacher is one of the girls in my Sunday night bible study. Continuity. Community. We both need it.

There is still so much I need to do but sitting here in my living room in my lawn chair with my feet propped up on a rubber maid container looking out at the rain seems like the best medicine for today. It's utterly amazing that in the whole time I've been here I've never once needed a xanax to relax. There are so many things I could be anxious about but I just feel so at peace... there's no anxiety.

If we all had a small town attitude, there might not be a need for prozac and welbutrin and lexapro and cymbalta and xanax and ambien...

Instead of spending money eating out and going to the movies and Dave & Busters... Austin is learning to appreciate the small town way of life. He is looking forward to making a ritz cracker pie tomorrow afternoon. http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1937,149169-244206,00.html (this recipe is close to the one I have but I don't use the dates and I put strawberries on top of the pie and THEN whipped cream!) He is looking forward to having dinner at church tonight.

This morning he gave me a little attitude. I know it was about being nervous about a new school and not meant as disrespect. I know that I'm his safe place... that he can get mad at me and know I'll still love him. I know that this is a huge adjustment for him. I also know that once he gets into the swing of things, he'll be happier here than anywhere he's ever lived. I am counting the hours until his bus gets here this afternoon.

Time to work on my bible study material for tonight. I'll probably post again. I just like it here!