Community

When people ask me what it's like moving from Chicago, IL to Minot, ND, I tell them it's like moving to a foreign country. This little town is so far outside the scope of my life experience that many of the things I've partaken in so far, I had only seen previously in movies. For instance, the North Dakota State Fair parade consisted almost entirely of farm implements, a steady trail of skid-steers, tractors, combines, harvesters, and bailers filing through downtown Minot. Never before have I seen these monstrosities. The fair that followed consisted almost entirely of farm animals, more farm implements, 4-H projects, and people selling products like "the last glue you'll ever need" in the commercial buildings. I've now watched barrel-racing, I who had never seen a rodeo or even so much as a ranch. 

There's so much about the community that is foreign to me. Yet so many of the people in Minot are so blissfully ignorant of anything outside their happy city and state that I just smile and nod when they tell me of their excitement over Kohl's finally coming to town, the city-wide garage sale where they may be able to find some sewing materials next weekend, and the endless ways they are related to nearly everyone else in town. (Seriously, in some way or another almost all of my coworkers are related and jokes are made frequently about the need for new blood to come to town so as to avoid incest.)

We can safely assume that I'm still very much getting used to the Minot lifestyle. But there's one thing that I am continually shocked at and grateful for that seems to trump these strange attributes on a daily basis: People care for each other here. I mean, they really care. At four-way stops, people wait for others to go first, even if it means going out of order. During my first week at work, person after person streamed into my office to welcome me and learn my name. There is the general responsibility to look out for one another, whether it means keeping an eye on your neighbor's property while they're out of town or getting out of your car when it's 4 below zero to help push a car out of a snowbank. Everyone wants to introduce me to everyone else and they don't get angry when I don't remember their names. The people in Minot are most definitely quirky, but they also are some of the most gracious people I've ever met. When you talk to those who have moved to Minot over the years, you will always hear them say they never thought they'd stay in little old Minot, but then they experienced the community here and were hooked. 

Are there things I miss about Chicago? Absolutely. 
I miss the culture, the museums, the parks, the music, the excellent standard that everything was held to. I miss the bustle, the CTA, the social events that would fill up our calendar. 
I miss the activity, the edginess.
I miss the friendships.

But in Minot, I love going to work each day and talking with people who have time for heartfelt stories.
I love seeing the sun set each night and having time to read a book without distraction.
I love feeling like my mind has space to open up and think.
I love this community that helps each other.