PRETTY PRAIRIE, Kan. - I feel very fortunate. I look at some of the more unfortunate people in our society and think, "There but for the grace of God go I." I am so thankful that I have had people delivering that grace to me in my life.
Forty years ago, as a young man, I did some very stupid things. I ended up in Federal prison. I could have easily lost my way, but I had friends and family who stood by me and helped me find a better way.
I was lucky; I had friends, family, and a farm to go back to. I remember so many acts of gracious kindness by those who welcomed me back. I had parents who loved me without question. I got a golden second chance at life.
Twenty years ago a natural disaster affected my life. A tornado hit my farm. The next day there were 100 people there to help; friends, neighbors, and even strangers. I was blessed with a community that was giving and ready to help.
I know that so many people are not blessed with the help I have received from my family and from my friends and neighbors. I know how lucky I have been. I also know that whether a disaster hits someone because of their own shortcomings or because of just bad luck-we all need help sometimes. People ask me why I volunteer. Why do I want to help my community? Why do I want Reno County and Kansas to be the best place in the world to live? I tell them that I want to not only help a community that has helped me, but I also want to help build a community that fosters families and neighbors who are the kind of families and neighbors that I have been blessed with.
It is my hope that we can all recognize that we are a community and that we do depend on each other. I especially hope that this election year we can talk to each other and not at each other. Let us all pledge to use this campaign season to have real and honest discussions on the issues.
We are in this together. We are neighbors. Let's act like it.
I wholeheartedly agree with your plea for people to stop talking at each other and start talking 'with' each other - mindful that we indeed need each other. Communities and nations are at their very best when they place the highest value on the common good. Bill, thanks for writing this.
We are fortunate to have community leaders who share honestly and openly about the issues as you and others I have enjoyed reading at KS Free Press. Let's hear more.
Community spirit is the foundation of civilization. Man's ability to communicate and record history is what divides us from the animal world. The animal world, for the most part, instinctively cooperate and work together, both for survival and entertainment.
Our future is very much dependent upon family structure, community, national, and international cooperation,
We just had our Thomas County Free Fair. The success of the event was dependent upon county wide support. Communication and sharing of resources have to be coordinated by a group of individuals taking responsibility and leadership. The successful rural county fair provides something of value for every class of people within the county. A proper balance of purely entertainmant events, competitive displays, and educational programs crammed into a week of frenzied activity is an annual event that requires volunteer leadership.
Society and civilization is dependent upon individuals reaching out to one another.
Ken, I bet you didn't know that a week ago Saturday I judged the 4-H dog show at the Thomas County fair in Colby. I enjoyed meeting all of the kids and parents. They organized a first rate event.