I spent a month in Huron, South Dakota, one week…last week actually. I think it was last week anyway, it felt like one very, very long day. I arrived Sunday, and lost track of my whereabouts amongst the days of the week sometime Monday. I felt like that spinning icon that we spend so much time staring at on our computer screens.

A few months back my former good friend Paul, asked if I wanted to help him provide sports medicine services for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo. Seven days, thirteen performances, over 1,200 contestants aged 12 to 14 from 45 of our nation’s states, and the countries of Australia, Canada, and Mexico. Sure, why not. Why not? I didn’t know the “why not” then, I do now. So it goes.

The days were comprised of breakfast at the Coney Island Cafe, a performance at 9:00 in the morning, lunch at Manolis Grocery, sitting around, milling about, a performance at 7:00 in the evening, and then back to the hotel to plead with Captain Morgan to help us forget the day. Forget everything but breakfast and lunch anyway, they were our havens of serenity amongst some pleasant locals we came to enjoy the company of.

Other than playing baseball there a few times in college, I had never spent much time in Huron, and came away with new perspective of the town. A town, like many other towns of its size and location, trying not to lose itself and those that inhabit it to the larger cities.

There are conveniences that come with living in a large city, conveniences that those that have always lived in a large city may not recognize as conveniences, but as common necessities. Necessities that keep their lives moving comfortably along, and allow them to do what they want when they want. Huron might lack some of these conveniences, but I found it had the necessities one who grew up in a small town can appreciate.

The necessity of a connection with people and businesses that appreciate you for more than just the money you spend in their establishments. It’s a mutual appreciation of time. Time spent satisfying the curiosity you both have of one another’s worlds. Curiosity that is generally genuine, or at least genuinely polite. Time is a convenience that many of these people have seen pass them and their town by. Time they know very well that they can’t get back as they face the necessity of moving forward.

The city of Huron will host this rodeo again next summer, and looking back on the month-long week, I’ll probably give it another go next year. Not because I can’t get enough rodeo, more than enough of that was had, but because misery is said to be less miserable with company. I suppose that depends on the company, and Paul’s pretty good company to be miserable with.

Happy Independence Day. Enjoy the conveniences living in this country allows and the necessities it provides.