Return Migration

Something I have been thinking about since the Young Ag Couples Conference is a  phenomenon called Return Migration.  This refers to people who move away from a place to live somewhere else for a while, and then move back to their original hometown.  A good example is someone who leaves home to go to college, then moves back home, degree in hand. 

I always assumed in the back of my mind that my time in the West would result in my own Return Migration back to the Midwest.  Not necessarily a move back to my hometown, but somewhere within in the state of Iowa or nearby.  Instead, I was swept up by a Montana Gentleman, Jeff,  and here I will stay, likely for quite sometime.  Jeff, however, had completed his own Return Migration back to the HiLine.  I am his Plus One.  

It often seems like people do nothing but leave this area.  Some of the best ways to encourage Return Migration include: 

• Nurturing existing small businesses and local services Like keeping your local Post Office in business...
• And creating businesses one might find in a larger town, especially those that foster community togetherness, such as coffee shops, restaurants, etc. 
• Fostering good quality of life for children and families-- building playgrounds, investing in schools
• Allowing older community members to "Age in Place," via local nursing homes and senior centers, etc.
• Encouraging friendliness, togetherness, and community spirit

I thought about this last point, in particular, the other day.  Two things happened within a short period of time that made me glad I live where I do.  Neither of these two events are really that big of a deal, but I couldn't imagine either happening anywhere else I had previously lived.  

First, we received a phonecall from the Post Office a few days ago.  I had tried to send about ten postcards out to friends and family, but I left the address off of one of them.  I'm not really sure how the Post Master knew I was the one sending them, since there is no return address on a postcard.  Maybe I'm the only Katie on the route and she noticed my signature? Either way, she took the time to call and ask what the address was so she could still send the postcard out in that days mail.  And to top it off, this was a substitute Post Master-- our normal lady was on vacation.  That could never happen in a big town. 

Second.  With the recent extreme cold and snowy weather, I was out about twenty minutes before leaving work, starting my car so that the engine would be warm when I was ready to leave.  The maintenance guys at work noticed I had gone out to start my car and went out with a broom to clear the snow off my windshield and the rest of my windows.  They did everyone's car they knew would be leaving around 4:30.  It was a kind deed they didn't have to do. Again, this has never happened any other place I have worked.  Furthermore, I can't think of another place I have worked where I would have even felt comfortable starting my car and leaving it running in an unattended parking lot for fifteen or twenty minutes.  

Small town life at its best.