I’m A Clubwoman

What to do if your neighbor’s yard shed burns down – and other lessons from a small town

by christy on 04/10/09 at 1:58 pm

Terry pulled her lawnmower into her yard shed and headed up to the house for a glass of lemonade. By the time she walked back outside, it was on fire. Try as they may, the volunteer fire fighters didn’t get all of the flames put out, and the yard shed burned to the ground.

Now, when you live in a small town – sometimes your neighbors know your business before you do. As soon as she got the news, my mother-in-law, Murna, began calling in the support of Terry’s friends. “Terry’s barn burned down,” she began telling their mutual friend, Debbie.

 “I’ve got cake!” Debbie responded.

 This incident happened several years ago, but “I’ve got cake,” has become the slogan around here for rushing to the aid of those who need your help.

 I planned on writing today’s post about the Illinois 18^th District’s Annual Meeting. And maybe in a way that is what this post is really about. Because if I’ve learned anything from living in a small town and getting to know the ladies in the Bismarck Women’s Club – I’ve learned that small town people are there for each other.

 As I write this, Murna’s goat Betty has just died. Now that may seem like small potatoes to you, but around here animals play a very important role in our lives. In fact, around here, if your animal is sick, you call Murna. And if for some reason, your animal dies, you call her husband. Then he comes over with his back-hoe, digs a hole, and Murna holds your hand and lets you cry, while your beloved family member is buried.

But today, Murna’s husband is out of town working on a job site.

I don’t have a cake made and I’m definitely not quiet as adept at rushing to those in need as Murna is. I’m still a small-town-girl-in-training. So instead, I’ve taken the biggest pot I could find and the ingredients for soup and headed over to Murna’s house with my husband. He dug the hole, I made the dinner, we were there.

 This post is written in loving memory of Betty, the brown goat and for Murna who is teaching me what it means to be a good neighbor. 

Photo courtesy of Rita Crane Photography.