Over the months you and I have discussed how the economy has affected us in different ways.  Some good and some bad.  Here is a sad one I was thinking about today.   I have hated seeing local businesses close their doors. Big and small businesses alike.   The closing of the tuxedo shop that’s been there for 25 years was sad in one way and losting the 5 year old Krispy Kreme was sad in another.  Whether saying goodbye to a neighborhood staple or seeing a national chain turn and run, it feels bad. It hurts a little.  What will become of the mom and pops that served the community for decades?  And how can we rebuild if big businesses give up on us?  It may have hit us here in Flint, Michigan first but I’m sure it has made its way across the country to places that once thrived and like us are fighting to do so again.

Have you sadly watched a local business close its doors? What has changed in your community?

My husband told me that his windshield was struck by a pebble on the highway and that a small star burst was formed.  I said, “Thank stinks! I’m sorry.” Of course he knew it needed to be fixed right away. He didn’t need me to tell him that.

When hubs got home he showed me the chip in his window.  It wasn’t fixed yet. I told him with the weather getting colder the chip was likely to spread and that he should get it fixed right away.

Two days later we were out Xmas shopping and the chip still was not fixed. I said, “Let’s try and find one of those guys in a parking lot that fixes small cracks on the spot while you wait.”

The day after Xmas the chip spread straight across the Dodge Ram’s windshield.  I didn’t say a word.

I called for an insurance quote to replace the glass and they said there would be a one hundred dollar deductible.  My husband said, “I told you we should have gotten that fixed right away!”