My Town Part III

Last the people…

it is the people who make this town.

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Country towns have a reputation for being cliquey, 

for groups not mixing; not integrating…that is not the case here! 

My friends, and they are amazing friends, 

come from town and out of town. 

They are married and single. 

They are young, middling and aged. 

They are university educated and they left school at 12 

to help raise their families.

They are many and varied but without exception they are kind and caring, 

they are generous with their time and their emotions.

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When I lost my best friend, my partner 

suddenly and totally unexpectedly 

and really, really needed them recently,
they came. 

They came
bearing food, lawn mowers, mops and polishing cloths. 

I was fed, whether I wanted to be or not, 

my house gleamed from top to toe 

and when it became necessary
they dressed me in the clothes they no longer fitted into, 

though in truth they received the ones that were now falling off me!

They planted vegetable gardens, they weeded vegetable gardens, 

they just sat and held my hand when I needed someone, 

they found the oddest jobs to keep me busy!

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Months later,
when you would expect them all to go back to their own families and lives 

I wake to the phone ringing 

and have to leap out of bed 

to make sure the dogs are locked away as the lawn is about to be mown. 

I wake to the phone 

and leap out of bed 

to be told that I have half a table to fill at the local market tomorrow. 

I wake to the phone 

and leap out of bed 

to hear that it’s a good day to play scrabble they will be around in an hour 

(It’s the first anniversary  of an important day, 

it’s Australia day, his birthday) 

but they come with lunch and dinner, some happy music and nobody mentions what day it is…where are their families, 

why at home of course!

Like all towns and suburbs this one has its problems, 

its uncontrollable kids, its petty thieves, bad language 

but that doesn’t detract from the sheer thoughtfulness, 

kindness and deep friendship 

that I have found here

And it is a pretty town to drive through  

and its positioning as the hub of the circle 

that consists of five major towns
and many smaller towns all within an hours drive

 means that everything you could wish for is within reach!

Will I leave this town now?

I still don’t know.

But I cannot think that I will ever find 

a better place to live out the rest of my days.

Thank you for listening to my story

and the images?......just because I liked them!!!!!!

xxxxx