My mother-in-law was raised on a farm. Like many farm girls, she headed for the big city as soon as she was old enough. By the late 1950s, life had not turned out quite as she planned. She returned to her old neighborhood; a single mom with four youngsters in tow. Undaunted, she bought an old farm house and soon became involved in the community.
In those days communities knew what they wanted or needed. Whether it was a park or a restaurant, if they wanted it, they built it. One thing they felt was needed was a nursing home so they would have a place to live that would provide for their needs without burdening their children, families or loved ones. My mother-in-law was a driving force in the community of “movers and shakers.” She dug right in and helped with the nursing home project. Land was obtained from a local farmer and labor was volunteered by the community. As money became a necessity, fundraisers, donations and grants were obtained. In a short time a modern nursing home was built, a governing board was chosen and a professional firm was hired for day-to-day operations.
When my mother-in-law was in her nineties she fell and needed to go to the nursing home for rehabilitation. After healing, she planned to live with her daughter and son-in-law. Tragically, they were both killed in a motorcycle accident before she healed. Not wanting to become a burden, she decided it was time to stay in the place she had helped build for just this purpose. Even when others suggested other options, she would state “I built this place and this is where I’m staying!” Family and friends would visit regularly and there was never any worry about her daily care. Shortly before her one hundredth year, my daughter and her cousin stopped for their regular visit. Not long after their departure, Grandma went to sleep for the last time in “the place she built.”
Today, people tend to forget the importance of community. If they want something that is not already supplied, they move to another location. One person at a time the community shrinks until it is gone completely. This is not the fault of the younger generation because they have never been taught how to create a town. When the local burger joint or the skating rink closes, they do not realize they can step up and help find a solution to the problem; or that it is even a problem. In a lucky community, one of the older residents will lead the way to a resolution. Often it is as much about the money as it is about the desire of the community to make things work.
As President Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for the country.”
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