Community is Key

Community is basically a group of people with similar interests or a common thread. Community can be geographical, or it can be based on your faith, age, heritage, profession, or even family. There are many ways we can define “community”, but as individuals, what does it mean to us personally?

When I was a kid, community was my family. My grandmother was a homemaker and the common thread that held us together. Every Sunday at noon, my parents, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins would gather for a home cooked meal at Grandma’s. Every. Sunday. Holidays were an even bigger deal. My grandfather would pass out the gifts under the tree after dinner. Oddly, the gift tags always said, “From Santa”, but in Grandma’s handwriting, but I digress.

After Grandma’s passing, my aunts tried to keep the tradition for a while. But we were growing up, getting married, having our own children. Sunday dinner fizzled out.

I miss those simpler days. Do families still do this on a regular basis? Guilty. I don’t. I won’t even begin to list my excuses because that’s all they are: excuses. Have we become so “busy” that we can’t pass on a simple tradition like this, emphasizing our family as community?

I was very fortunate growing up and understand not everyone is as blessed when it comes to family. What about our neighborhoods? How well do we know our neighbors? Often during the hot summer months, my parents could be found on the neighbor’s porch, or inside playing cards, while we kids played outside long after dark. Do neighbors still do this? Not that I can see. Again, simpler days.

My point is some form of community is important to each of us. Community can provide social connections, a sense of belonging and purpose, a support group in tough times, and people to share life’s lighter moments. These human connections are important to our health. Studies have shown, especially after the Covid-19 shutdowns, that no social connection increases many chronic health risks – both physically and mentally.

We weren’t created to be alone. Let’s focus on simpler times and joining, or developing, a meaningful community.