Building Community

Building Community

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-smiley/a-year-of-dinners-with-my-imperfect-family_b_3468277.html?utm_hp_ref=parents&ir=Parents&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl10%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D337833

*This story really touched my heart. Growing up, even though both of my parents were at the dinner table each night, I always felt disconnected from our massive extended family. The only people who were around were close family friends, my Grandparents, and my Aunt. I have since lost both of my parents and the closest family members (physically, not emotionally) are about 100 miles away. I have no sense of community, I have no support when the going gets tougher than tough because everyone is out-of-state or out of the country, and those that are physically closest simply do not care to be present in my life. People talk to me on the phone and they e-mail me on occasion, but that’s not a consistent relationship.

I have been assured by my best friend and my Aunt that when I get married and have kids, I will have a sense of community. I hope that they’re right. In the meantime, I think this story sheds some light on military families and the sacrifices they make. I have family & friends that have served this country and as we make our way towards the 4th of July, stories like this that make me proud to be an American. My sense of community though, that’s still a work in progress.*