Last month I made the trip out to central Illinois with my mother and grandparents to attend a small family reunion. I had only met most of these people one other time in my life, so the whole experience was a bit bizarre, but pleasant. Central Illinois, specifically the towns of Shelbyville and Assumption, make up the fabric of small town America that one doesn't witness everyday. Not the cute & quant small town America, but the other one where every storefront is empty and whole towns revolve around a chemical plant or grain silo. However, most of the people I met were born and raised in these towns, and chose to stay because of family. Everyone knows everyone and cares about everyone.
