Editor, Gazette-Journal:

There are many blessings in my life for which I am thankful but the one that I want to share is small town living. Moving to Mathews County in 2008 from Richmond was a very different experience for my family and me. A truly wonderful experience. There are many things about Mathews and Gloucester counties that I love and here are just a few:

—Postmistresses and delivery drivers who know you by name and take a package just after closing when you didn’t quite get there in time;

—The staff of Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester who care for you like family;

—Hudgins Pharmacy where they know you by name and take the time to sincerely inquire about how you are doing;

—The restaurants in Mathews that will make room for one more;

—The retailers who greet you and are genuinely happy you came into their store;

—First responders who volunteer their time and sacrifice family time to be there for you;

—Neighbors who kno...