In going back to Webster City and Williams to meet Dad and sign papers relating to Alice, there was a lot of hometown memories. Each place I went to and each person I dealt with had a last name that I recognized. I most likely knew the family, their kids or their parents. I drove around Webster City and noticed many familiar establishments that have either been renovated or a new business has taken over and many new places have been built. Some thing haven't changed a bit while others are brand new buildings. The lawyers office was like stepping back in time to maybe the 60's or 70's. The interior of the office was dated, from the furniture to the carpet. There were no computers, the lawyer wore blue jeans and had a flip phone. A standard wooden table with files and folders, a calculator and some books was all he had in his office.
Back in Williams we stopped at the small hometown bank. I hadn't been in there in years, not much has changed. Both the tellers were kids of someone I went to school with. I couldn't get over that these girls could be old enough to be working there. My dad says hi to everyone. If they dont see him, he makes a point to say hello. He is friendly to everyone. It doesn't matter who, he is kind to everyone. My parents never talked bad about another family, pointed out their differences, commented on their dumpy home or fabulous car, they didn't compare people, they were nice to everyone. It didn't matter if they were catholic or democrat, lived in a house with signs all over raising cain about the small town bank, they treated them kind. I love that about my parents. They go out of their way to talk to someone they recognize. There is such a neat and uniqueness in a small town that I truly miss. In Williams we knew most everyone. My parents waved at every car, talked to every person. If they were from Williams, my parents knew you. In Webster city, they do know as many people,however they sure seem to know a lot. People smile and want to talk to them. I miss that. Wade is that way too, he is everyone's friend. Here, where we live, we are tucked in between 3 small towns, and different school districts. We don't have the small community feel like I knew growing up. There are so many families that move in and out of the small towns. The school districts are so spread out, there are very few if any small business's anymore, and so many rough homes and families. We hear of drugs and things in these little towns. Mark's family hasn't been very involved in their community, therefore Mark never got to experience what I did. It makes me sad going back to Williams and Webster City and missing the small town comradere. WE also live in an era where people are less social because of the internet and iphones. People are wrapped up in their own lives so much they don't pay attention to others lives, hardships, celebrations, they dont seem to care as much anymore. With the two funerals, I got very few cards in the mail. It is always interesting, the least likely person down the road or from another state will send a card, yet the close friends and family that you would think and hope would send some sympathy, don't. We got a card from the vet in regards to Daisy with 8 different people who wrote a note and signed it. More people wrote in that card, than acknowledged my family losses.
Mom had been wanting me to stop at Alice's house. It makes me so sad to even go to her house. It makes me sad to think she will not be there and we are going through her stuff. I want to just gradually over time and in no hurry. It is still too painful.
I think seeing all the stuff makes mom very nervous. She wants to get rid of certain things and pass things on and she wants to do it right now. Dad and I are more alike, we want to take our time and look through things and do so in time. Each thing has meaning and she must have held on to it for a reason. Mom just couldn't let things be. She insisted I stop at the house. When I got to the house, it was sad walking in knowing Alice wasn't there. It was here home. She was there the last time I stopped and it was still very much fresh in my mind. Mom had things in piles in different rooms and took me here and there showing me things and having me take certain things home. I didnt like it, I felt like I was at a garage sale. I brought home some things but it felt strange. There were only 3 things that I had special meaning to me, one was the doll and clothes that belonged to Alice. I played with that doll as a little girl every time I went to my Grandma's house. I knew she was my Aunt Alice's and knew right where Grandma kept her in the closet for me to play with and dress her. I found the doll in a storage box. Also Alice showed me some quilts she wanted to make sure I knew about. They were Kingsbury quilts. I don't know who made them, or their story, they could have been my Grandma Edna's mother. I also wanted a few pieces of jewelry just to have and wear of Alice's for both Jayden and I to hold on to wear.
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