We All Play a Part in this Village

“We know how to be grateful when someone shares a meal. But there is another gift we forget about—the gift of a friend saying yes to our offering. My friend let me care for her, feed her, sit with her. She brought me into her community by saying yes to my gift.

They say it takes a village to raise a family. My own parenting thrives because of the mercy of so many working parents—teachers, caregivers, doctors, the blessed angels who bring me my groceries to my car. But I never recognized the part I could play in that village, too.”

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N E W P O S T on Twin Cities Mom Collective today about recognizing our part in the village.

At a time like now, in the middle of a global crisis, we need this more than ever before. My anxiety manifests in a paralyzing sadness. I want to help everyone. But that feels helpless, so it is easy for me to do nothing. Sometimes we need reminders of the small ways we can help others. I can’t stop a pandemic, I can’t heal the sick. But I can watch her kids when school is canceled. I can make a meal and drop it off. I can send a text of encouragement in a pause in my day. I can donate funds to organizations who can help the less fortunate. And because my job allows for this, I can stay close to home so as not to be a part of the problem.

I didn’t write this essay with a global pandemic in mind. But there are lessons to learn from every story. It’s a gift to be reminded of how we can help.