I ventured into the local branch of my bank yesterday.

This has been my bank for over a decade.

All of the tellers were new. 

I needed a photo ID to make a deposit and check on my balance.

The branch manager was new.

Gone are the days of walking in and chatting with the tellers and/or the branch manager.

Also gone are the days of running into the bank’s employees at the Farmers’ Market or around town. 

They don’t live here.

They are just passing through.

I know that I should be grateful that the bank is still open when so many branch offices are closed.

Also, I should be grateful that I can walk into the branch without an appointment.

Yet, I miss the old days.

The staff knew me and I knew them.

Sigh.