My town has changed over the years. In my town families come and go, schools are built and then abandoned. Businesses thrive, and fail like many towns.

In my town you can see the stars shine bright when the sun is sleeping, watch wildlife thrive and enjoy amazing sunsets. You can still walk the streets at night and feel safe, just watch out for javalinas!

In my town there are Methodists, Buddhists and Catholics, just to name a few. People of all colors, shapes and sizes live here.

In my town you can walk to the store in just a few short minutes, or park your car in the shade so you don’t burn your hands on the steering wheel from June through August. You can go out for Italian, Mexican or Chinese food. You can drink wine, listen to music by the lake, chill with some gelato on a park bench, or watch Pokemon Go enthusiasts bump into each other. My town has choices.

My town has one of the tallest fountains in the world. The lake’s water is reclaimed, and loaded with coots that poop, a lot. Still it’s a beautiful fountain.

In my town there are conservatives, liberals, in-betweens and extremes. There are those who chastise the other party and call them names in public forums. And in my town there are people who don’t take a back seat to this kind of bull.

My town is changing. Lately in my town, lines are being drawn and sides are being taken. What has happened to my town? We are letting politics pollute our hearts with words that wound. I just want kindness, respect and choice to remain the bedrock of this town with all that it has to offer.

After all, this is our town.