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October 28, 2018: Why Small Towns are a Blessing…..It Does Take A Village

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” – Coretta Scott King

This past week has reminded me once again, of the benefits of living in a small town.

We returned from northern Maine earlier then expected last week, as my 99 year old step dad was in precarious health due to a medical crisis.  As his only alternative for survival, he opted for major surgery last Tuesday.  His health otherwise was good, his brain sharp as a tack, and as the surgeon said, “my dad’s attitude was  positive”.  After a short stint in an intensive care unit, he is now on a regular floor.  His progress is not fast enough for him. ( I inherited the trait of being an “impatient patient.” ) But his prognosis is excellent and he can look forward at some point of returning to his home.

Our local hospital,Lakes Region General Hospital,  is not a well-know medical center, but a smaller one that services our surrounding New Hampshire communities. The treatment he has received has been topnotch.  As a non-medical person, I’m in awe of the compassion, communication and excellent care my dad  has received.  During the course of this emotional rollercoaster week, my dad and our family have received incredible support from our friends and community.  The highly skilled surgeon and anesthesiologist, were both the dads of my former students. I knew not only of their expertise, but how they were extraordinarily compassionate men. The x-ray technician, and the mom of another student, greeted me with a reassuring hug.  An LPN, who took care of my mom while she was in a nursing home13 years ago, recognized my dad as the one who came and sat with her for hours each day.  Whenever I looked around, there were familiar and friendly faces, with many connections to our life in this community.  

While driving home late last night, I thought about how different it would be living in a city, where the sheer numbers of people, impede personal connection.  in particular, how isolating it would be when one needed  answers to difficult questions, or that extra boost of compassion and emotional support when needed.  

My dad is virtually blind, but always wants to know what’s around him.  Looking outside his hospital room this morning, I described the surrounding countryside; how the  luminous gold and oranges of the Maple trees seemed to glow against the overcast sky.  I also shared how it’s raw and cold, with the debris of last nights thundering winds was scattered about.  Inside for now, he is warm, comfortable and  knows that the people surrounding him, from family and friends in our community, to the skilled and caring hospital staff, care about him.  It’s a gift from his village, and a blessing to be living in a small town.

View of town from high on a hill