Mobility, extended families, and the American dream

A few nights ago I took my husband out for a birthday dinner at a nice French restaurant in a neighboring town. One strange and noteworthy part of this meal was how courteous and friendly the other diners were (unlike in my town, where everyone seems to be indifferent if not downright hostile to others). We were in a small room with a birthday party--grandmother and grandfather, their two children, and the three grandchildren. I felt a little sad for myself, wondering what it would be like to spend one's entire childhood in the same town, near enough to family members that a child could drop in on a grandfather or a cousin. Although this is the quintessential Norman Rockwell American childhood, I wonder how many of us grew up this way, and I wonder if it is as comforting and happy as it seems to someone like me. Although I certainly have plenty of relatives, most of them were almost as mobile as my family, so we saw each other about once every three or four years.

When choosing internet security questions, I never pick any of the ones related to "your high school." Not only am I in complete ignorance of the street addresses of any of the four high schools I attended, how would I remember which one I was thinking of when I provided my correct answer? I dislike this question almost as much as "your favorite pet." Isn't that a little bit like asking someone who their favorite child is? Do people really have favorite pets?