A Rural Community Makes All The Difference.

....It truly does. Here's what happened to me this morning. First of all I need to share with you the community I live in. Rapid River, a town that is missed on most maps, yup, it is THAT small, a community tucked away in rural Upper Peninsular, Michigan where forget the bar, everyone knows your name regardless. So, I have a check to bank, all $16.00 in my zero balance which I got for a book purchase. I go in. The teller is Kathy, I know this because her tag says so, "Hi Kathy!" I say brightly. She responds, "Are you the author?" I am momentarily perplexed, take a look behind me, then feeling rather silly upon realization respond, "Why yes, I am, how did you know that?" Whereupon she lays out the local newspaper which has my ad for a book signing and says excitedly to me, "Can't believe I know you." I smile. She deposits my check and sharing general chit chat I ask nonchalontly if my funds are immediately available knowing I do not have enough gas in my car to get to a job interview I have tomorrow and fleetingly a thought crosses my mind from her earlier comment of. 'can't believe I know you.' which was, 'if only you knew...' I put it to bed as she says chirpily, "Oh yes, immediately available." And I wonder what she thinks knowing the balance in my account, all $16.00 of it. With a wave I head to the gas station, some 5 mins down the road. I put in $8 worth, enough to get me where I need to go and purchase the tampons I need for that damn cycle which at 48 years of age, I pray in on it's way out and living with two other females is an urgent need. I will save how THAT happens for a later Blog. Anyway, at the checkout, with queue forming, there is a problem. "Sorry, your card was declined." The teller informs me with a look of pity."Oh." I say, "Well that's weird, I just put some money in my account." I say, thinking that should just magically make everything alright. Teller: "You could call the bank." Me: "Yes, I could yet I don't have a phone." (my cell phone has been disconnected recently.) Teller: "Which bank, Bay Bank?" Me: "Yes, that's the one!" Hoping this makes me sound like a long term resident where everyone knows your name and don't worry I have no intention of disappearing into the night with your sixteen bucks...Teller: "Let me get Kathy on the phone." IMMEDIATELY, I know it will all be fine. She knows Kathy, and I will be saved. They talk. Apologies are exchanged, much to the amusement of the now much longer queue forming at the checkout with comments of, "I hate those debit card rules, I mean seriously?! I have money and they put a limit on what I can take out of my own damn account each day?!" And, "You know Kathy?...she's a great girl.." So, in the end, it transpires that I DO have accessible funds only the lassie that inputs the information onto the computer which relates to a debit transaction, does not come in to work until 2pm, sooooo....I have to go back to the bank and withdraw cash. Such is rural life in Rapid River. Where everyone knows your name and business and which to some, may seem like a pain in the arse yet in truth, turns out to be a Godsend. The teller is quite happy for me to leave the station, go back and return. No questions asked. If this were some city I was visiting I imagine an altogether different scene....$16 or not, the police no doubt, would have been called and without a phone, a nightmare would ensue. What struck me most about this experience were two things; firstly, not ONCE did I feel embarrassed. Secondly, how patient and kind the folks were in the long line waiting while we sorted out my situation. Quite the opposite, people were laughing, joking and as I finally got it sorted, almost cheered. I was able to go on my merry way as people waved me a good day as I left shaking my head with much gratitude for living in a town which essentially, has your back.