Death and Community

I sit here on this Saturday morning, in an emotional state, after receiving a phone call that a man I admired has passed away. When I bought my first house, my neighbors were the Morison’s. Mr. Morison, 35 years my elder, was a hard working, giving man, that on many occasions taught me much about maintaining a home, and many things about life in general.

Mr. Morison was always there when I needed help, and I was there for him. Years after I moved from that first home, I kept in touch with him. Stopping by in the spring to help with a garden, showing up with a rake in the fall, a plate of Christmas Cookies during the holidays, etc.

Was there an alternative motive, or hidden agenda in our relationship … no, it was simply love, appreciation, and kindness that we demonstrated to one another. We gave freely, never expecting anything in return.

While his life is over, his memory lives forever in my heart, and the hearts of those who were privileged to b graced his presence. I will miss him.

Love, appreciation, and kindness shared amongst others is relevant, it’s enduring, and its life at its core. My relationship with Mr. Morison got me to thinking about ‘Community’, and in particular, for the moment, online communities. Common courtesies, staying focused, and an appreciation of others that may be different than we are, has its place. Accepting not only another’s views, mode of communication, economical or educational status, makes us wiser, more educated ... more whole.

The landscape of our lives becomes complete, contains more understanding through the details and the depth that we allowed to be meticulously brushed in, by maintaining an open mind. Positive communication shared among those with differences builds a solid foundation on common ground, and without it, all that remains are ill feelings, not only between those that had the difference of opinion, but all that witnessed the exchange.

People build communities. Relationships keep the spirit of community alive. Love, appreciation, and kindness, to name a few, build relationships.

Disney World or Disney Land., Facebook, MySpace, or Linked In … it’s not about the destination, but rather the people that take the journey.

While I may have moved 3 times during the past 20 years, Mr. Morison and I continued our journey, our relationship, and sense of community between our families. While our bond started at a street address, our bond endured change, and Mr. Morison was always the first to embrace and to encourage the direction that life would take me.

Today, I shed tears for him and realize my journey continues without him.  I also know that I am not alone, because I travel along the side of many others.