Building Community

“Community” is one of the most misused words in the English language, evidenced by the fact the Surgeon General of the United States has declared loneliness as the #1 pandemic in the United States. Why are so many lonely if everyone belongs to one or more communities? Why is the rate of suicide, drug, and alcohol use so high?

The recent spring storm that flooded Gregory Creek damaged our “Fish Goddess” fountain, depositing tons of sand and debris along the creek path and into the fountain’s 300-gallon water storage tank.

With most of Highland’s spring cleaning done and the gardens in good shape, the dysfunctional fish goddess, the centerpiece of our enchanted garden, was grating on my psyche. When I mentioned this to member Stefan Du Toit, he rallied other passionate and caring members to gather last Sunday at 10 a.m. to help dig and carry hundreds of buckets of silt and sand out of the bedstream and water tank. This was a hard and dirty task.

Hearing that a party is brewing, employees and members ranging in age from 19 to “ninety-five-and-three-quarters” showed up to lend a hand or moral support. Afterward, the club served a great lunch of leftovers, and a good time was had by all.

We can not build community by talking about it. Instead, we must have common goals, work with, and help each other. From the Amish tradition of barn raising to Huckleberry Finn painting Tom Sawyer’s fence, we build community by working together, eating together, and helping each other in our time of need.

— Sina.