Community

      Years ago, we took a grown and independent Mariah and Liberty to a concert in Tulsa. It was the grooviest venue.  This old theater building wasn’t a huge space which translated to a very intimate concert. The crowd encompassed a variety of ages and races.  There were very few seats, so we joined the standing crowd close to the stage. 

Normally, this is a risky move. Libby is a small person at 5’3”, but her chair is huge.  Her chair out weighs her by over 30 pounds, and it’s long and somewhat wide. We have to clear a path for her. But this concert in this tiny venue in Tulsa, Oklahoma was different.  

As more people came in, we were getting pushed a bit and crowded.  I won’t deny that in these stressful moments I am a mother bear.  You mess with my kid’s chair and the North Sider comes out.  Mariah and Rachael reacted as well. We were surrounded.   

As the main artist began her set, the largest influx of music lovers came in and we were feeling claustrophobic and unnerved.  

I tried to move Libby a bit and several older ladies saw what I was trying to do.   Suddenly, we were ringed by these beautiful people. These ladies, who didn’t seem to be there together, encircled our little four, and kept us cocooned  for the next several hours.  

It was surreal, being encircled by these strangers.  We shared the love of the artists and the need to keep Liberty safe. We sang and danced together in our little area. We were safe and able to enjoy the concert. Brandi Carlile and KT Tunstill were brilliant.  It was a wonderful night.  

 

Community is vital to our emotional survival. We, as a populace, seem to be struggling with supporting one another.  Especially if we disagree. Disagreeing about masks and herd immunity, elections, economy, and whose lives matter. We are catapulting words at each other and no one is listening. Or, we don’t speak, to keep the peace.  

I crave that communal feeling of knowing I am surrounded, whether in the flesh or virtually, by people who share beliefs, or hope, or love, or simply support.  

The more we separate from our community, the weaker we become as a people.  Some divisions are going to exist, but today’s atmosphere feels discordant. We are allowing  ourselves to be pulled apart to stand alone while yelling into a void of other people yelling into the void.  We hide behind a screen instead of doing the work our people  need.  So busy yelling against this void, that we’re not protecting those around us. 

Please join me in listening more and intuiting the needs of others- even those we don’t agree with. Endeavor to create circle of safety for those may need it.  Even if you don’t know them. Perhaps especially if you agree with them.  Listen more.  Maybe we can find our way to the sense of community.  This maybe imperative for our future.  

Please endeavor to create that accepting, inclusive and encompassing circle of love.   We are Ohana.  We are all one community.  We are all one squad.   We are family.   AND we can all use the support.