Lawton, Iowa

I wasn't born or raised in Lawton, Iowa, but I have raised my children here and this has been my home for over twenty years.

Lawton is in the extreme North Western corner of Iowa and is largely farming and livestock raising country with very little large industry and many small towns and communities scattered throughout the state.

I didn't know if I would enjoy living in a small town when I first moved to this rural paradise all those years ago, but I can't imagine living anywhere else now. A small town may not offer much by way of night life, but the caring people and sense of family more than balance out the equation.

To be able to go for a walk at any time of the day or night without having to look over your shoulder is a genuine delight. I grew up in California and lived for several years in New York, so being able to walk out of my front door without immediately locking it behind me was unheard of in my life before.

Some might think that tall buildings and neon lights are a thrill, but nothing can compare with miles of corn and soybean fields as they ready for harvest in the fall. As far as the eye can see, every shade of red, gold, yellow and brown, dotted here and there by outcroppings of trees adorned in fall color and sparkling creeks that wind through the hilly countryside.

The abundance of wildlife that shares our backyard is thrilling. My husband and I have dozens of bird feeders festooning our front and back yards and we laugh when we look outside, to see instead of birds eating, raccoons standing on tip toe to sample the seeds, squirrels hanging upside down by their toes to steal as much bounty as they can manage, and deer slyly peeking around to see if they are being spotted sticking their tongues into the small holes of the feeders.

Trees are the only thing that separate our backyard from the farmer's field beyond and as we sit on our deck, listening to the evening birdsong, watching butterflies flit from flower to flower and watching the sun set in a flaming sky that seems to go on forever, we are so at peace with all around us.

The schools in a small town are wonderful. Teachers who know all of the children by name, who their brothers and sisters are, who their mom and dad are and what each of the children are capable of. Kids who grow up in a strong community with the support of teachers, counselors, neighbors and family, grow up to be strong stable pieces of that community. Our children have been able to remain friends with the same group of people and graduate with those friends. They loved the experience so much that they have moved here with their own families.

When a child is known by everyone in the community, he does not get into much trouble. No matter where you go in town, people know who you are and will watch over you as if you are part of their family.

Lawton is surrounded by area farms filled with friendly colorful people. Over the years I have learned to fish in farm ponds, can my own produce, plant a productive garden, grow thousands of varieties of flowers, and create just about any country craft imagined by mankind. The stories that have been passed on to me by elderly farmers, and their wives, of one room country schools, threshing bees, barn dances and all of the myriad of events that are unique to country life, fill my world with history and possibility.

My husband Pastors a church, and in a small town, a very small town, that consists of a school, two churches, a small store, a post office and a small cafe/bar, the church is a central piece of the community. People here are inherently kind and family oriented. This is a place where everyone knows everyone. Where you can walk down the street and say hello to your neighbors, feeling safe, knowing that if you need anything, anything at all, the neighbors that care about you will be there for you.

It snowed the other day. I looked outside and saw the sparkling snowflakes piling up on the trees and shrubs and knew that as soon as school let out, the hills and streets would fill with children that I know, from families that have been my friends for years. Children who will play outside, knowing that they are being watched by those who care, in one of the last safe places in this great country of ours.

As I drive from the nearest large city, where I have to go to get some of our supplies, I always look for the last hill that shows me the Lawton water tower in the distance. When I turn into my town and drive down Cedar street under the canopy of ancient trees, I always let out a small sigh, because now I know I am home.

Donna Y

Submitted: Friday 6th February 2004, 9:41 PM

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