We all have heard the phrase “It takes a village to raise a
child.” As apathy has replaced sympathy
and moral relativism has replaced moral obligation, these small community
values have become considered small town ideas.
But, I am thankful for my “village”. From seminary teachers to school
teachers, I am thankful for the people who weren’t family per se, but took the
time to care for me, to listen to the ramblings of a teenager and make him feel
valued. I am thankful for these people
who, with my own family, gave me confidence and with gentle and loving
correction when I have acted inappropriately, gave me the values I cherish
today.
Today, Mary Kirk, one of the matriarchs in my village passed
away. When I was in high school, she was
the mother of my best friend, but the day I moved into her small town and
befriended her son, I was more than an eccentric, gangly 15 year-old, I was
under her wing, I was her responsibility.
In short, I was in her village.
Every week at church, she would seek me out, ask me about my week, give
me a big hug. Every visit home, I could
look forward to these impromptu chats.
They took no more than 5 minutes of her time a week, but they mean
the world to me. I’m going to miss those
hugs and my village won’t be the same without her.
