The differences between “place” and “home” are fleeting but profound. The person ahead of you, a stranger, holds the door open for you to pass through the doorway, or smiles when meeting on the street. A subtle signal to cut through a waiting line
of traffic to enter a parking lot, or a nonchalant waive from a passing car acknowledges your presence and signals you belong.
A small act of kindness softens the harshness of the world and makes us feel OK. The 4th of July parade gathers townspeople to celebrate not just the nation’s birthday, but the gathering of a place and its people, strangers, neighbors, citizens all. It is bigger than “me,” yet it allows me to feel larger, wanted, accepted.
Is that what defines “community?” Feeling accepted, belonging?
What about caring for an ailing neighbor? Taking him or her to a doctor’s appointment, or picking up a prescription at the drug store, or taking out the garbage on a snowy day, or getting the mail in icy weather? These acts of caring go beyond small acts of kindness; instead they affirm a sense that the neighbor “belongs here” and is helped to remain here.
Is that what defines “community”? Caring for the physical well-being of a neighbor?
Group sharing as in potluck dinners, or a pig roast; these require an act of sharing to be a part of the gathering. You share a favorite recipe with a larger group; you sample the shared dishes from others; a feast has been made. The mingling over food and new taste treats nurtures conversation among those unfamiliar to one another. The circle of friendship expands.
Is that what defines “community”? Sharing food and favorite recipes?
Shopping for routine goods and services locally. Meeting neighbors, co-workers, fellow church or organization members while out and about doing chores and shopping. Exchanging personal greetings or information during those brief encounters grows awareness of the people around us and how they fit together.
Is this another defining moment of community?
Sharing constructive ideas with others in town is useful in addressing shared needs or problems. Such ideas form programs, even institutions, which serve community needs that make us all stronger or better off.
Is this more of the community definition?
We think so.
Taken together all of the above allows each of us to be our own self, to make the contributions we will, to accept help from others so we can be better or stronger.
The community gives us license to be ourselves while celebrating who we are as we all come together to make a strong, well-defined community. Being yourself is an act of community, pure and simple.
It may seem trite to state “It’s all about community,” but we think it is all about community.
Celebrate it.
Gather at SummerDaze in August. Participate in outdoor summer activities. Walk our plentiful trails and paths. Share your talents with a group to manage or address a common concern.
Be yourself but be with others. That is what makes our community strong.
