THE MA AND PA

365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 258

“You can’t share that!” She said. “You might think it’s funny, and you might be grateful and all, but no! Some things are just better left unsaid.”

Gosh, she’s no fun. That was my wife about an hour ago, effectively vetoing my original material. I guess you’ll just be left guessing.

Today, I’m thankful for many things; and yes, certainly, some of those things are probably better left unspoken. Picture me sticking my thumbs in my ears and waving my fingers at her, tongue sticking out and making a smirky face. Someone’s gotta be the adult in the house and someone’s gotta be the child. After 34 years of this, you can probably guess who’s who.

Today was errand day, which meant venturing into the big box stores and driving through entirely too many roundabouts. Okay, squirrel in the road here, but: why does Minnesota like causing so much misery in our lives? Can’t we just let the whole emulating-Europe thing go? I mean, we said heck no to the metric system four decades ago. I say, let’s just be 'Mericans and be done with it!

People: about those circular intersections—the whole point isn’t to stop, but to merge while keeping your forward momentum. Just waiting for someone to figure it out is maddening. MERGE, people, MERGE!

Okay. Rant done. Thank you for being my therapist for a second.

I will say this about the big box stores: I am so glad we don’t have college students to move anymore. I forgot all about hauling kids into dorms and all that... fun!

There was a father and son in front of us at Targét Boutique (the young man being about the size of a D1 linebacker). I asked the gentle-giant, “College move-in?” He smiled, laughed, and nodded as his dad paid the $555 bill. I really should’ve taken out stock in Petey’s red bullseye store all those years ago. Hehehe!!!

We probably spend too much money in all those massive stores, but there is something convenient about shopping where almost anything you need is under one roof. Now certainly, we support local whenever we can. But rapidly fading are the days of every town having a mom-and-pop grocery store and a five-and-dime nearby.

The town where our oldest was born was still sporting a Ben Franklin back in the day, along with lots of little ma-and-pa boutiques, restaurants, and the like. At the time, I thought the town was a bit backwoods; but now, I look fondly at that little ol’ town of East Machias, ME. It was quite picturesque too, kinda reminiscent of a Thomas Kinkade painting. I wonder how many of those ma-and-pa stores are still kicking?

America was built by the ma-and-pa business, and all those little boutiques and comfort food joints on Main Street. I’m thankful there are still plenty around to support and do life with. Today, we spent a few dollars at one of them on the way home, just to get a few licks of summer in with an old-fashioned ice cream cone.

I’m thankful today for the Hope and Faith store in Madelia, and all the thousands of other small businesses that dot our lands and bless our towns.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for all the small business owners who’ve kept the embers burning to keep the American spirit alive. Bless each ma-and-pa boutique, restaurant, store, and more. While the big box stores are great, nothing’s quite the same as what the little guy delivers.

What’s your favorite hometown ma-and-pa type store, cafe, or boutique? Sound off in the comments so we know who to support!