The "Village" is a term I see thrown around social networking a lot lately. Initially I imagine its intent was to solidify a term about support in parenting. But even with a simple Google of the quote I found that it seems the initial quote has disappeared. Mainly I see it as a lot of people's excuse to criticize other people's parenting skills.
Of course the geek in me immediately goes instead to:
Of course the geek in me immediately goes instead to:
Creepy movie, but not what I wanted to write about today!
I used to work for a wonderful organization called Wycliffe Associates straight out of high school. I cut my teeth in the theatre world for two years with them travelling across Canada 1 1/2 times. I met so many amazing people in my travels with them and some of these friendships were through some very tragic circumstances. What I learned through it all was how art can bring such healing in the worst of times. There's one theatrical tableau that has stuck in my mind so many years later since this travelling experience. There was a play developed about a group of young men who in the 50's went to bring literacy to a very remote tribe in the Amazon. These men tragically lost their lives in their efforts to reach this remote people group. In the grief of such tragedy, there's a dance scene where the wives are physically lifted up by the prayers and encouragement of those around them. It's in the strength they found from this that the wives ended up reaching the people of this tribe. What a beautiful picture isn't it?? This is how I see my village.
Life is never without it's tragedies. Granted for as much as we wouldn't like to admit when they happen to us, life does continue to go on. This is something I can fully understand and embrace.
You see fundraisers come and go for various needs in the world. You see celebrities answering phones for 10 minutes specifically for their photo op. Some people give because it gives a temporary feeling of validation for helping out the little guy. Then there are some who see the passion behind a need, they see how fiercely constant this need is. They might realize it's good to give because they feel like they might one day have need of this need. This is how I see my village.
I get random Facebook messages or texts from extended family now and again. "You are amazing." "just wanted to say you guys are always in my thoughts." "I just want to remind you that you are so loved." These people can't devote too much because they have their own crazy lives to lead. But take 30 seconds to send a love reminder. This IS my village.
A beautiful group of amazing women have come together despite challenges with their own complex children. They visit each other in hospital. They share tears and hugs. They drop care packages off at people's doors. They celebrate the crap out of good news. They tell dirty stories. And they laugh, oh how they laugh! This IS my village.
What keeps a village small often times is it becomes too stressful to be around the villagers. We lead difficult lives. We are limited in what we can give back. But please be assured that if you take the time, it's a place worth living. One of the hardest things is for a villager to feel left behind.
When a villager is left behind it can be difficult to regain their trust. They have very little stability in their lives and wish to find a solid foundation with which to be carried. We truly miss with a heavy heart those who have moved on.
It doesn't take much to be in our village. We just want to know that you'll stay for awhile! Stick around and meet my kid! Trust me, he'll bring something special to your life! He likes to think he's mayor but I think he fixed the election.
I used to work for a wonderful organization called Wycliffe Associates straight out of high school. I cut my teeth in the theatre world for two years with them travelling across Canada 1 1/2 times. I met so many amazing people in my travels with them and some of these friendships were through some very tragic circumstances. What I learned through it all was how art can bring such healing in the worst of times. There's one theatrical tableau that has stuck in my mind so many years later since this travelling experience. There was a play developed about a group of young men who in the 50's went to bring literacy to a very remote tribe in the Amazon. These men tragically lost their lives in their efforts to reach this remote people group. In the grief of such tragedy, there's a dance scene where the wives are physically lifted up by the prayers and encouragement of those around them. It's in the strength they found from this that the wives ended up reaching the people of this tribe. What a beautiful picture isn't it?? This is how I see my village.
Life is never without it's tragedies. Granted for as much as we wouldn't like to admit when they happen to us, life does continue to go on. This is something I can fully understand and embrace.
You see fundraisers come and go for various needs in the world. You see celebrities answering phones for 10 minutes specifically for their photo op. Some people give because it gives a temporary feeling of validation for helping out the little guy. Then there are some who see the passion behind a need, they see how fiercely constant this need is. They might realize it's good to give because they feel like they might one day have need of this need. This is how I see my village.
I get random Facebook messages or texts from extended family now and again. "You are amazing." "just wanted to say you guys are always in my thoughts." "I just want to remind you that you are so loved." These people can't devote too much because they have their own crazy lives to lead. But take 30 seconds to send a love reminder. This IS my village.
A beautiful group of amazing women have come together despite challenges with their own complex children. They visit each other in hospital. They share tears and hugs. They drop care packages off at people's doors. They celebrate the crap out of good news. They tell dirty stories. And they laugh, oh how they laugh! This IS my village.
What keeps a village small often times is it becomes too stressful to be around the villagers. We lead difficult lives. We are limited in what we can give back. But please be assured that if you take the time, it's a place worth living. One of the hardest things is for a villager to feel left behind.
When a villager is left behind it can be difficult to regain their trust. They have very little stability in their lives and wish to find a solid foundation with which to be carried. We truly miss with a heavy heart those who have moved on.
It doesn't take much to be in our village. We just want to know that you'll stay for awhile! Stick around and meet my kid! Trust me, he'll bring something special to your life! He likes to think he's mayor but I think he fixed the election.