When I moved to Rockport in 1992 I left family and friends to pursue my career as a Home Economics teacher. Being a first year teacher was next to impossible and it consumed a lot of my time and energy. In the process of being “too” busy I always chose to sleep in on Sundays instead of going to church.
After about three year, two of my students (Jeremy and Brent) began trying to get me to start attending church. They weren’t worried about my eternal soul, oddly enough, what bothered them was I was living in isolation. Jeremy stated their case simply by saying, “Hanna, it takes a village.”
Today as I look back, I honestly believe that it was one of the most significant things anyone had ever said to me. It isn’t easy venturing out alone. I liken it to walking the plank. Over the years, however, I managed to involve myself in the local church and independent bible studies, as well as take art classes, and join a quilting group. I still had the high school with all its activities to be a part of and I added to that helping in Young Life. Each new activity provided new opportunities to connect with new people. Together, in these new relationships, we affect change in the world around us and become better people in the process. We built community among ourselves.
Since I had to retired last year this community has been an invaluable support. The burden of life seems more manageable when you don't have to manage it alone. Who is in your community? Is it diverse? Start reaching out because just as you have something to offer, they have something to give.
Community in action: Today Anne brought snacks. She saw I needed to have non-perishables that require very little preparation, so she loaded me up.
2 comments:
it does take a village!!!!
so many people in the community helped me out but Catherine Hanna went above and beyond e.g.
1.she let me self teach myslef to drive in her little white toyota later she would regret that descion
2.she helped me make hoochies to the wee hours
3.she read my diary and laughed her ass off making me realize i was an even bigger loser than i had origanally thought.
4.she would take me out to eat after a really bad breakup or just for fun....yum as she knows now meals taste better when thier free.
5.she would take me to church and get me involed in YL which lead me to the lord. ps. then she bragged about all the crowns she was gonna get in heaven
6.she would serve as a ref between me and my coaches.
7. she was my number one cheerleader.
8.she once walked 3.1 miles with me
9.she once bought me some fancy threads
10.she taught me how to cook!!
CH has really helped shape me into this drop dead hottie house-wife that i am today and for that i am forever greatful.
What is a care package without toliet paper?
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