My Warrior Strong Community

com·mu·ni·ty
kəˈmyo͞onədē/

noun

1. a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common

2. a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

I spent the first eight years of my life in a little white house in a family friendly neighborhood where everyone knew everyone, even if they didn't know them personally. Having spent sixteen years away from it, I've gained the appreciation for the sense of community that I've been able to come back to. As frustrating as it can be sometimes with everyone seemingly knowing your business, the heart of this town is full and strong and bigger than we think.

I have been challenged lately. I don't know if this is the exact reason, but it started after I read the book "Keep It Shut" and followed it's study "Zip It". It really is true that when you stop and listen you see so much around you. It prepared me for my new job in retail pharmacy in this small town. I have always been empathetic. I tend to take on the emotions of those around me. It always annoyed me and I fought it and put up walls. This town doesn't let you do that. And I kind of love that. I still get annoyed, don't get me wrong, but the world needs more empathy and less judgment. I see the pain on their faces when they come to the pharmacy, whether it's a physical ailment or a mental/emotional one. Sometimes I see people who used to light up a room come in with a cloud hanging over them. I have an opportunity at that register to make a difference, even if it's for that solitary moment. I was nervous about going back to dealing with the public, but I've realized that this isn't challenging like I thought. It's easy when they're faces you know and respect. It's your parent's classmate's parents who was your teacher, you old softball coach, your kindergarten best friend... I am only three weeks into this job, but I am so grateful for this opportunity. It has brought out a better side of me, and I've missed her greatly.

Tragedy has struck our community countless times. Classmates who have passed away from suicide, car accidents, even undetermined causes. Most recently,  we lost a high school senior a week before graduation. Our small community has somehow managed to simultaneously stop time and come together for this family. This community weeps together. When one of us hurts this deeply, everyone hurts. This week. I spent a lot of time in tears, or fighting them back, as neighbor after neighbor came into the pharmacy. Each one more devastated than the last. Each one heavy with the memories of those who have gone too soon in this community. Tears flowed freely and nobody casted judgment. They just passed a tissue.

I used to think I'd be better at the anonymity of a big city. This past year, especially these last few weeks, I've learned I'd much rather be part of a community like Mohawk. The friendly greetings and daily harassment from the coffee shop regulars. The fact that a twenty minute walk takes forty-five minutes because you stop and talk to people in their yards. The same faces you knew from twenty years ago, with a few more wrinkles. People who live modest lives in a less than modest town because this is home. We are neighbors. We are friends. We are family.

We are WARRIOR STRONG.