I’ve been really intentional about finding people and places since we moved back. It’s not easy. I host a breakfast at my house every 3 weeks or so, for anyone who can come. And we have a bunch of kids over once a week to play. And then ive found several other spaces - book clubs, library events, a regular yoga class, a homeschool meet up. In the end it looks like lots of pockets of people that are sort of connected but not necessarily in each others lives all the time. I’m still working on it!
I love this, thank you for sharing! I think it is something that so many of us want and there is not an easy way to make it happen but often the work of finding community includes a lot of enjoyment and doing things that we love in hopes others will want to, as well. And while it takes a lot to find and gather the people we would like in our lives, it is nice that we can do this and we're not just stuck with the people who live in the same town or something like that.
This is a beautiful piece. I love you and your family, and being part of your community. I appreciate what you wrote about how sometimes community melts away - some groups you have when you need them and then they fade over time. I'm terrible about keeping in touch and staying in community with people I am far away from. But some of those communities (like MHC alums for example!) can quickly reform under the right circumstances and feel like you haven't been apart for very long while you're together.
I've been thinking a lot recently about how to better build community with my neighbors. I have my own groups that I connect with (choir, work, church), but I only know a few of my neighbors well, and I think that is something I need to put more time into. Food is not my thing (well, eating it is, but not preparing it, hahaha). So I need to figure out my "in." Having connections with people feels even more important in this current American climate. We definitely need each other!
Yes, I'm so glad you are part of our community, even if we only see each other every few months these days! It's always funny how hard it is to connect with the people who live right around you, I only really know a few of my neighbors and I'd like to know more but haven't figured out how. We do need each other!
Really love this, Anna 💕 I long for connection and community as well. It's been a challenge since we moved. This gives me some hope!
Thank you and thanks again for your feedback on this essay. I still have so many thoughts and questions about community, but I do think there is hope!
I’ve been really intentional about finding people and places since we moved back. It’s not easy. I host a breakfast at my house every 3 weeks or so, for anyone who can come. And we have a bunch of kids over once a week to play. And then ive found several other spaces - book clubs, library events, a regular yoga class, a homeschool meet up. In the end it looks like lots of pockets of people that are sort of connected but not necessarily in each others lives all the time. I’m still working on it!
I love this, thank you for sharing! I think it is something that so many of us want and there is not an easy way to make it happen but often the work of finding community includes a lot of enjoyment and doing things that we love in hopes others will want to, as well. And while it takes a lot to find and gather the people we would like in our lives, it is nice that we can do this and we're not just stuck with the people who live in the same town or something like that.
This is a beautiful piece. I love you and your family, and being part of your community. I appreciate what you wrote about how sometimes community melts away - some groups you have when you need them and then they fade over time. I'm terrible about keeping in touch and staying in community with people I am far away from. But some of those communities (like MHC alums for example!) can quickly reform under the right circumstances and feel like you haven't been apart for very long while you're together.
I've been thinking a lot recently about how to better build community with my neighbors. I have my own groups that I connect with (choir, work, church), but I only know a few of my neighbors well, and I think that is something I need to put more time into. Food is not my thing (well, eating it is, but not preparing it, hahaha). So I need to figure out my "in." Having connections with people feels even more important in this current American climate. We definitely need each other!
Yes, I'm so glad you are part of our community, even if we only see each other every few months these days! It's always funny how hard it is to connect with the people who live right around you, I only really know a few of my neighbors and I'd like to know more but haven't figured out how. We do need each other!