Community

June 22nd, 2010

Several times during the summer, my neighborhood stages small concerts on our Village Green.  Last Saturday we were treated to fantastic local talent, beautiful weather, and an evening of picnics and fellowship during the show.  My husband Dean and I visited with neighbors, all of whom we are honored to also call friends, and watched the kids dance and play. 

Dean recently turned 40 and I am just behind him with a birthday next February.  We find as we age that we become more and more sentimental.  I think this has something to do with watching our children grow at lightening speed these past nine years.  As the neighborhood kids ran together from their parents to the shave-ice shack to the bounce house and back again, we commented on how much fun we are having watching them all grow.  The beautiful little girl whom we welcomed across the street when she was new-born especially caught my attention.  She is a “big girl” now, entering first grade this fall. She and her girlfriends spent the entire evening giggling together – each relishing their independence and not realizing how many watchful eyes were upon them the entire time.  Communities have a way of multiplying caregivers.  These girls, along with all of the neighborhood kids, have extra parents and grandparents at every turn.

Thank goodness for all of the communities from which we draw support as caregivers.  From extended families to churches to organizations and clubs to neighborhoods…  Communities amplify our strength as well as our joy.

- Carrie Hastriter, Founder