Ruston: Where Dreams Come True (Opinion)

The banana's were getting old. Tonight they needed to end up in muffins or the garbage. With a 9 year old girl in the house, baking was the preferred option. I enjoy this age, old enough to help but still eager to participate. The tween years will hit soon enough when being around family will not be cool.

She made 'em herself tonight. All I did was read the ingredients. She recalled earlier baking events where she needed help with measuring or running the electric beaters. When I mentioned I was taking most of them in to work tomorrow for the construction guys, she asked if she could take some to the fire department.

We'd see the fire fighters at Town Hall earlier this evening. They train faithfully every week, staying current on the skills and knowledge. But what makes small town departments like ours so special is the personal touch, the accessibility and connection to the people of the town.

So we hurried the warm muffins over to Town Hall, hoping to catch the guys before they headed home. We found one young man who graciously took the plate of treasures. It turns out the rest of the team was still out practicing around town. She left with a big grin knowing she had done good.

But that was not the end of the story. A couple hours later the whole department shows up on our doorstep in the fire engine and aid van to say thank you in person to the little baker. She jumped out of the tub soaking wet to wave at the gang from the upstairs deck and was greeted with smiles and a few blasts from the siren as they drove off.

The family was left laughing and telling each other how much we love living in Ruston. This is the stuff that makes us different from Tacoma. As great as our bigger neighbor is, it's the deeper connections that set us apart - that sense of give and give back that build our community.

The 9 year old summed it up: That's what they do, they make dreams come. Maybe not always, but they sure did tonight. I love this town and its people...