by Vicki Brown

Created on: May 16, 2010

Do you remember the Andy Griffith Show? It took place in a small southern town called Mayberry. It was the kind of place where everyone knew everyone. Family gatherings were multi-generational and no one had to come any farther than a few miles.

I’m sure towns like that still exist. They probably aren’t quite the same because the baby boomers or their kids have moved away. But when they come home, it’s like they never left.

If your career necessitates living in or near a large city, it is possible to create the same small town feeling of Mayberry. There are neighborhoods with a small town feel even in large cities.

Consider the tale of Emily and Todd. Todd grew up in a small close-knit suburb of a large city named Wentworth. His family was very active in the community. He and his brother went to a private school that gave them a community within the community.

The family belonged to the local country club another community. Todd’s father, Martin, took the bus into town each day where he was a lawyer in a large firm. Many of his colleagues lived in the same community.

Andrea, Todd’s mom, was very active in the Garden Club, a book club, the boys’ school, and worked tirelessly at several charities. Andrea and Martin had grown up in the area so they had their families nearby.

Todd and his brother Jacob played soccer and lacrosse at school. Often they had their parents, grandparents, and various aunts and uncles and cousins at their games. They also played tennis and swam at the country club.

Eventually, Todd and Jacob went away to college. When they came home, it was as if they had never left. Their parents went to and gave parties during the Christmas holidays. Jacob and Todd got together with their friends.

Many of their friends stayed in Wentworth after college and bought homes there when they got married. Jacob had always been the rebel of the family. When he finished college, he moved to Vermont and lived on a farm.

But Todd was a chip off the old block. He went on to law school after college. He clerked for several judges and even the state supreme court. He lived in Boston and met a lovely girl named Mary. They fell in love and had a beautiful traditional wedding.

After several years as an associate in a large law firm in Portland, he got a job at the firm where his father worked. He and Mary were expecting their second child when they moved. Their daughter was Hannah was almost three when they moved into their new house,

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