it's a wonderful life
evening carols and days of gratitude

I live in Bedford Falls.  Or somewhere quite like it.
Tonight, I am grateful to live in a small town.

I headed to the main bank today, to make a quick deposit.  I don't go in there often.  I hit the drive-thru, usually on my way in to Austin, to school, or to see family and friends, or to get whatever my small-town grocery doesn't have.  They don't have some things.  

Because it's a small town.

But what they do have....well, they have a lot you won't find in the big city.

Like an open house for their customers at the bank.  

I thought the buzz and hum of the party they were having in the 


Unlike the miserly Mr. Potter, the bank president came from
his office to greet me, in his Santa tie, by name.  I have never
met him and only stop in the bank tri-annually.  In the past,
if I'd seen a bank officer approaching me,  I'd have run.  Fast..
lobby was the bank's office party.  But when Christine was finished with my transaction, she invited me to have a 'few refreshments'.   A few refreshments were spread over 5 tables. 

The party was for everyone!  (Dear Wells Fargo,  A party might have been nice with all that cash you have.  Why no party?  Wonder where we all are?  We're at the party at First Bank of Burnet, where our cash is, too, thank-you-very-much.)

"Dear Father in Heaven, I'm not a praying man, but if
you're up there, and you can hear me, show me the way."
Luckily, I am, and he can, and he has. 
Another thing small towns  have are people who have George Bailey-esque problems.  The economy has hit small towns especially hard.


But in this small town, whether George Bailey, or Mr. Potter, all are invited to the table.  All are greeted with equal respect and, dare I say, affection.  All are welcome.

I had whipped in for just a little business, and by the time I'd left, enjoyed four hugs from members of a warm and loving church family, and even though I'm not 'from around here', originally, I'd made a few more friends before I'd left, with a full tummy and and full heart.

First Bank of Burnet's  Christmas Open House Punch
Recipe courtesy of Taste of Home
Oh!  One last thing! Small towns have some of the best punch! I had three cups, (and thought about refilling my coffee tumbler to go, but that would be tacky, no?).  Our punch server was more than happy to share the recipe (you'll find at the link, to the right).  She mentioned that they'd left out the orange juice and doubled the pineapple juice.  Makes it sweeter, she offered. Things are often sweeter in a small town.  

Really, this living in a small town,....



Have a wonderful evening.


9 comments:

  1. Small towns really DO have the best punch. You really have a gift, Maggie. Reading this post, I felt like I was there.

    Your site is beautiful and it makes me wish we lived a little closer to Austin!

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  2. I agree with Shelby you have such a gift in your writing, I always feel like I am right there beside you whether in your kitchen or sipping punch in a small town bank. Love I'ts a Wonderful Life thanks.

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  3. Thank you both so much for your kind words. You know those are the things that keep we bloggers a'bloggin. I DO think you sitting there and chatting with me when I'm writing.

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  4. What a great post, I smiled the whole way through.

    I, too, live in a small town (well, actually, 12 miles away from the nearest one). I call our grocery Tiny Kroger. They finally started carrying fresh cilantro this year. (Which says more about the cooks in our small town than it does Tiny Kroger, I think.)

    Thank you for sharing your bank visit. I almost want to move.

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  5. Hi Debbi,

    Thank you for your encouragement, and for linking to this from your blog! We also live outside of the small town, about 8 miles. We moved out here 3 years ago, and have loved observing the differences, sweet, funny, and some flat hysterical, living rural as opposed to urban have presented. We still work and school in Austin, so we have the benefits of both, but coming home to the small-town warmth of Burnet has made a big difference in our lives.

    Thank you, again and Happy Holidays!
    Margaret Christine, a.k.a. Maggie

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  6. I'm dead envious. I've always wanted to go back and live in a small town, and am awaiting the day I can. I lived in one for three years growing up. Oh how I miss it. One time the real estate company had an open hour, completely furnished, and as kids we were allowed to jump around on the bean bags and couches and beds. It was so much fun, and of course, I wanted to by the house immediately.

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  7. Hi Larissa,
    Thank you! I love your special small town memories. There is something sweet and lovely about this life that I missed in all my big-city past.
    Happy Holidays to you!
    Margaret Christine

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  8. This post is so beautiful and heartening. I'm glad to know that towns like this still exist. I felt like I was there with your description.

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  9. Thank you S., I'm so happy you visited my blog and appreciate you for taking the time to comment. Best Regards and Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays,
    Margaret Christine

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