"Merry Christmas Mr. Potter", George Bailey exclaimed after coming to the realization that life in Bedford Falls wasn't so bad. For anyone who has seen that now classic Christmas movie, you'd have to agree that GB really did have a wonderful life. However, for him, he had that epiphany only after spending the night with his guardian angel who helped reconcile his feelings for the life he had as the CEO of the Building and Loan.
How does this compare to the dozens of small towns across America, even today? Take the small town in which I live. There is a library, a city hall replete with administration, downtown businesses including eateries, a local watering hole that doubles as a think tank, churches, and even a small liberal arts college. Sound familiar? Imagine now a day in life of one of this city's citzens. It might start with a run with friends followed by a debriefing at the local coffee shop. After a shower, it would be off to the office, perhaps not to the B & L, but some business, one that may have been started generations ago. After another "red letter" day at work, there would be dinner with family or friends. This might be followed by a trip to the ice cream stand, not unlike the one found in Mr. Gower's drugstore. The day then might end with a stroll around the neighborhood simply to enjoy the night air, complete with the locals sitting on the porch viewing the traffic.
It may be coincidence or it just might be the way life is, but this all seems quite similar to life in Bedford Falls. The faces have changed, but the way we live and die in these small towns hasn't. There are plenty of the prettiest little towns across this country that have the same Capraesque qualities, and if you ask me, it's a wonderful life, and that's for real!
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