A Great Place to Live

A true story.  Today after school, the girls, some friends and I headed to the local diary for some soft serve ice cream.  On warm afternoons, this place is quite the hot spot for school kids, mom with strollers and any one with a car who wants to hit the drive through for a frosty treat. 

While the kids ate their cones and my friend and I chatted in the shade, a fire truck with four firemen parked across the street from us.  The firemen climbed out of the truck and lined up for a cone, just like everyone else in town.  Well, let me tell you, the kids were awed.  And of course, the kids crowded around these four guys pelting them with questions.  The firemen graciously answered their questions, passed out stickers and practically let the kids place their ice cream orders.  (The other mom and I stopped the kids before they actually ordered for them.)   When the firemen left, they waved to the kids, told them to eat their vegetables and do their homework.  

In how many towns can kids  have experiences like this with community heroes (that's what we call them in our house)?  I think community servants would love to do this everywhere, but in so many places they either don't have the time, the support, the safety or the will to do this.   And but here those folks can make time and that's why I love this place I live.