In Lakewood, where I grew up, my world consisted of the dirt road that led to vacant fields. There were no strip malls or stop lights. I use to ride my stellar pink Huffy up and down the road and the neighbors would wave as I blew by on what I thought to be my pink rocket ship.

As kids, we were allowed to wander the neighborhood. We went from house to house, refrigerator to pantry, game to Atari game. We were all friends and everyone in the neighborhood knew each other. Neighbors spoke, sang Christmas carols and always had time for one another.

My family moved to Del Mar, CA when I was 12 years old. I felt very detached from my roots in Denver. The neighbors didn’t talk to one another and kids didn’t roam. It wasn’t cool to ride a pink Huffy in Del Mar, or fish, or play kick- the- can. Part of this was adolescents, more of it was culture.

I really missed Colorado. I missed the mountains, the sunsets, the down-to-earth people and the neighbors. I missed fishing, getting muddy, the dirt roads, the afternoon showers and the blue, blue sky.

When I came HOME to Denver in 2001 I noticed a lot had changed. There were strip malls where I use to play soccer and ride my bike and condos where I would fish and ice skate.

I was glad to be home, though adjusting to the changes took time. I can deal with the strip malls and the Wal-Marts because I don’t have control over multi-billion dollar corporations. But there is ONE thing I really miss. The ‘Colorado Wave.’

It used to be, no matter what, when driving in Denver, people waved. People waved when they switched lanes they waved when they passed by in their car. People waved if they were taking longer to park than anticipated. People just waved. The wave was a symbol; a silent but clear hello, thank you or good afternoon. I have never seen the wave anywhere else. What it signifies to me is that we are all in this together and we are all part of Colorado. That we are all neighbors… and we do care.

If you remember the wave, which some of you do, reinstate it. If you don’t know what the wave is… just start doing it… and you will be amazed. I think the WAVE really needs to be revitalized. It is a soft hello, a thank you; a small but powerful recognition of one another.

Don’t forget to wave….pass it on.

I have been trying to figure out in my head, a mental picture if you will, of what the world would be like without small business. The images that are conjured up as a result of this daunting question are quite bleak. I see nothing but the obvious. Chains. I see streets lined with endless Starbucks, McDonalds, Home Depot, PetSmart, Chipolte, Wal Mart, Best Buy, Target & Lowes. Strip mall after strip mall. Nothing in between. No character. Now… this is just the mental imagery.

The reality of a world without small business would be horrific. It is enough to think we have come close enough to the endless strip malls – but in reality, we aren’t far off from stripping our economy and business culture from small business entirely.

Soon, coffee choices will be nil. That doesn’t sound like that big of a deal – unless you refuse to drink or support Starbucks. Soon, there will be no more Tennyson Street Hardware… as there is a Home Depot going up just around the bend. Not more chit chat with the people you have been buying your tools from for the last 15 years. Gone. Soon, our lunch choices will range from Fast Food to, well, chains. No such thing as that old hole in the wall that we have all known and loved. The ones that make the best sandwich and know your name when you walk in. Soon, all of the clothes we wear will be chain bought. No such thing as small boutiques like Mona Lucero Designs or Metroboom. We will all be shopping at the Cherry Creek Mall or Target, some maybe Wal Mart.

This is a frightening sensation to realize that within time there may be no place for small businesses. Somehow, in America, the idea of BIGGER seemed to equate with better and I just don’t buy it. I know what it is like to know my local store owners; a pleasure. It isn’t about the goods necessarily. It is about community. It is about keeping commerce moving while supporting the corner store rather than the more obvious, obnoxious choice.

I ask you to think about what it would look like in your world- without small business. What does it feel like? A little cold and sad for me. And what WE CAN do is support and buy local. I know, it isn’t always easy and sometimes, more expensive. Believe me- I have to juggle sometimes. But I would rather pay a little more to keep small business up and growing rather than being partially responsible for their demise.

If you have a small business and are a small business owner, I would love to hear from you. I would like to know what some of the challenges you are facing – perhaps as a group we can reach out and support one another before everywhere we look is one long strip mall.

Your feedback, questions and insight are most welcome! Please email ashleyslist@yahoo.com