Creating a Community

As many of my regular readers know, my family moved this past year into a new community. It's hard to be the new kid in town, even for the mother of the house. I found myself nervous about fitting in and making new friends, just like my kids.

A beautiful thing happened. I was invited into a space of incredible women. It was the typical story line of mommy-hood. I met a neat gal through helping in my child's classroom and was invited to join a group of fellow mother's who met weekly for coffee.

I was cautious at first as I prefer to sit and listen awhile, observe for a time, before I venture too far in with a potential new friendship. But, as I watched and as I listened, I heard something building.

I saw women reaching out to each other, helping with kids, sharing recipes, teaching others skills like bread making, and just listening. Listening with out judgement, listening with kindness, listening with care.

I have spent sometime thinking about these new women in my life and I have come to realize how special this thing is that I've stumbled upon.

Building a community takes an investment of time. We move so quickly these days and people do not seem to take the time to invest in one another. To put the work in.

I value this experience. Sometimes, special things don't last. But today, I celebrate this group of great women and the experiences shared thus far. I am grateful that someone showed kindness to me, a new gal in town, linked arms with me and said, join us.  It's made all the difference.

Cheers, Jenni