I know you're reading this

So you disagree with my move to Brazil. You let me know that you feel this is a dead town with a bunch of hillbillies.

After a year, you say you hardly recognize me. What is it about the slow life that causes a person to become less obsessed with all the material possessions that one is to gain on a daily basis to keep up with all the ad's inundating us? Why would I want to give up that kind of culture to move into a dead zone?

Why would I want to make good friends instead of superficial dolls who walk through life without a thought of substance? Why would I want to move forward into a life of real relationships and family values? Why would I want to be in a town with family values, where the churches are full and people stop and speak with each other and most often greet with a hug? Why would I want to live someplace where a helping hand is given without a corporate logo behind it so someone's 401(k) increases out of no effort of their own.

That is Brazil to me. For all the drama, opinions and seemingly endless hits this town takes, it never dies. Real people never say "I give up." They stick in there and let these hard times bring them closer as a community and those former smaller issues are forgotten for the sake of saving the life we know in our town. Now my dear friend of such low opinion of my town, when did that happen last time in your town? When was the last time your churches were fuller than your bars?

How about the daily thanks residents are giving to our appointed officials? What about those reaching out to others to help clean a yard, paint a house or barn? How about the single mother, young couple or elderly person who a neighbor sees struggling that will come out of their homes to help them merely because they need the help?

I don't see that happening in your papers. All I see are ads for swingers clubs, head shops and some form of adult revenue in hopes of saving your precious coffee shop or the 200th golf course you just have to have to survive.

Meanwhile, you're the newest murder capital with your nose in the air while your young people, your future, lay dying in the streets. For all of your arrogance, your judgments and your incessant need to be better than others, you have forgotten something. Your soul.

For all of your "culture" and glamour, you have gained nothing and truly have lost your soul. I guess the Bible was right about the gaining the whole word and losing your soul. You have definitely proven that time and time again.

My small town will be in their churches this week praying to our silly God for your larger, more cultured town. We will be shaking hands and eating together and appreciating one another.

Keep your perceived achievements. I would rather struggle with the real people here in my town than languish with you any day. Be scared of my town dear old friend, for as the economy tanks nationally, your people will kill each other off. Us? We will link arm in arm and support one another. After all, blood and love runs thicker than a missed sale at the mega mall any day.

We are Brazil. Proud, loving, perfect in our imperfection. Yet still, the fertile soil America has grown in.

I love this town and if you don't, then you don't have to live here.

Karen Meister can be contacted at ksframeofmind@yahoo.com.