I’m sure we’ve all heard the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child.” If you are a parent, I’m sure you can relate. At some point we realize that we cannot meet every need of our children, and we can’t watch over them 24 hours a day. We do, in fact, need help from our family, friends, and community to help raise our children. Teachers, coaches, aunts, uncles, in-laws, etc. are all needed to ensure that we develop our future generations into productive citizens and future leaders of our communities.
One of the great things about being a part of the Bethany family is the opportunity I have to visit all of our locations on a fairly regular basis. We now have six different communities, and each is unique. The culture and lifeblood of each community varies from place to place. I enjoy this diversity amongst the Bethany family of communities, and I enjoy getting to know our residents and staff members.
One of my greatest concerns in each of our communities is that some of our residents are faced with the daily battle against loneliness, solitude, and boredom. It shouldn’t be. Over time as we age in place, we have less contact with our family and friends. Some residents may not have a readily available group of friends with whom they can connect on a regular basis. Although we live in community, and often in close proximity to our neighbors, it is all too often that many of us do not connect or have the friendships that we could and should have.
As the Holiday season approaches with Christmas just around the corner, I would encourage you to think of what “community” means to you. I believe that all residents have a great and unique opportunity to live where you are, whether it’s downtown Haverhill, Groveland, or Boxford. You have been blessed to live in a community with a great diversity of individuals with a lifetime of experiences and you have an opportunity to share those experiences with others. If you’re not sure where to start check out the Flag, the Villager, or the Happenings for a listing of activities and events. Connect with the local Council on Aging in your town to see what they offer. There is a lot to do and there are many people out there searching for community. This holiday season I would encourage you all to not only access your community, but contribute and be a part of your community. Reach out to those lonely neighbors, introduce yourself, invite them to coffee hour, and enjoy living where you live. The best gift we can give is often giving ourselves to others. Small acts of kindness are greatly appreciated.
It certainly does take a village to raise a child, and it also takes a village to create a lasting, loving, and caring community. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year to you all!
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