Small Towns

 

Living in a small town isn't for everyone.  Some crave the big city hustle and bustle.  Bigger cities do have their advantages.  There is always something to do, there are more options when it comes to medical treatments, shopping options are bigger, etc.  I wouldn't trade my small town communities for any of the above.  

Two years ago right before Christmas my daughter was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.  She is a wife and the mom of 4 boys.  She has two awesome siblings, a sister and a brother from my husband and I's relationship and she has another two wonderful sisters from her father.  

The picture above was taken at a benefit that was put on to help her and her family put some money away to help with her treatments as she battles the beast of cancer.  Her cancer has metastasized to her liver and her lungs.  I was approached by some of the most caring and giving people I have ever met with the idea of putting on a benefit for her.  These ladies worked and organized in unbelievable fashion.  They put on one of the largest and most organized benefits I have ever seen.  We are from Teutopolis, but also lived in Dieterich for some years.  Heather graduated from Dieterich.  She has so many friends and family in both towns.  After she married she, along with her husband purchased a house in Altamont.  She fell in love with the town as soon as they settled.  She has enjoyed helping plan the centennial celebration, being in the sports boosters and she absolutely loves her church.  She has worked the last couple of years as a school cook at her son's school and enjoys it so much.  She has made friendships and connections that will be lifelong friendships.  She has amazing friends and family from all over that helped with the benefit as well.  

The support she and her family have received from Altamont, Dieterich and Teutopolis as well as Effingham area people is unbelievable.  The benefit was so wonderful and will go far in helping take some of the pressure off of her during her fight.  I honestly believe that if we lived in a bigger city the support she has wouldn't be there, the close friendships she has made with those around her would have been much less likely.  

I am so glad she landed in Altamont, it may be small but it is filled with people with big hearts.  

If you are interested in following her journey, she has a Caringbridge site and you can find it here. https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/heatherdavis81 

To all the committee members of Heather's benefit.  You are amazing and I can't even begin to thank you or express how much we appreciate all your time and effort.