As you know, I live in a small prairie farming town. A small town of ordinary people (+/- 800 of us) who do ordinary things. About the most exciting event in our town is the Volunteer Fire Department’s drive through town around Christmas, flashing lights and all, to distribute candy canes and fire safety reminders to each home. Small towns have their own ways of making things happen. News gets around very quickly through an ancient form of social media – neighbours talking to each other. It is common courtesy in town for motorists and pedestrians to acknowledge each other as they pass by – just a brief wave does the trick. Our local food bank and associated thrift store are volunteer-operated. The seniors’ lodge and long-term care facilities have strong local volunteer support. An accessible playground was erected this year with the help of 40 volunteers working for 3 days in 30 C degree weather. Ordinary people doing ordinary things make this an extraordinary community. But people don’t seem to think about it very much. They just do what needs to be done. Small things make a big difference.

This is one of many stories from a wide variety of sources and a multitude of forms contributed by people upon request for my 70^th birthday.   They are posted without editing, with the attribution that was with them.  I will be posting these regularly until they run out next year sometime: if you have others to add, please send them to me.