Community is Vital

Yesterday my son asked what I like to do to relax. And I may have snort-laughed at him. Because generally, my first reaction to the word relax, is to say that I don't understand what it means. And that's because there's not always very much of it available to me.

But we happened to be on a walk with some friends and their dogs when he asked the question. And before I could even answer, one of the friends answered for me.

"She likes walking" was his answer. And it's true, I do like walking. But what I like even more than the walking, is the who I walk with.

Just over a year ago, we moved from Alberta, CA to British Columbia, CA. A move that has been tough on our kids but great for my husband and I. (To be fair, we were both raised here on the coast of BC and our kids either don't remember living here or weren't born here... a story for another day... ) Anyways.... we moved... and that means starting over with new people, making new friends.

My new friends happen to include some dog park people. We met at the dog park, when our pups were all around 6-7 months old and too dumb to do anything but chase balls. But slowly our dog park visits became trail walking visits. And then there was some food sharing. And lake swimming. And coffee. And lots more walking and swimming... and more food sharing. And now, if I go more than a few days without seeing them, I miss them.

And my dog park friends have become one of my communities. It is with them that I can relax. It is with them that I can share my struggles and my joys. I can share the challenges I face and the obstacles I've overcome. And if I can shut up long enough, I can listen to their struggles and joys too.

I have other communities too. A church, a coaching group, football watching friends, a group of moms who talk about mom stuff, a running group that's a theory more than a reality... But there are people around who know me and who care and who I can bless by doing the same back to them.

And these communities are vital. Not a day goes by that I don't need some contact with one of these groups. There's no way I'd be the person I am trying to be today without these communities. Community keeps us grounded and... well... not lonely. In community we are seen. We are known.

My challenge to you is to take a look at your communities. Where is it safe to share yourself? To be yourself? To learn, to grow, to fail... And who could you walk beside as they learn and grow and fail?

So, to the Dog Walkers, Coffee Drinkers, Football Watchers, Mom Stuff Talkers, Church Attenders, Coaches and sometimes Runners.... Thank you for taking me into your fold. For allowing me to learn and grow and fail... and be me. Thank you.