Monday - Day 8 - It takes a Village

“It takes a village.”  This is one of my favorite sayings.  Once society lived in small villages, with our extended family all around.  We’d have our grandparents and aunts, uncles, and cousins as part of our everyday lives.  In addition we had our neighbors and all of their families   We all raised the children.  Children were protected and cared for and extremely well adjusted as they learned to grow and were influenced by many.   Parents had time to do their chores and take care of one another’s needs.  No concerns over where the children were or who they were with. 

I had the luxury of having extended family on my father’s side living both behind me and next door to me growing up.  I could come and go as I please and I was always being looked after.  Even my mother’s family kept me close, to this day I consider my aunt’s home as my own.  Growing up, my cousins would whisk me away to the beach or on errands.  There was always someone who wanted to steal me away.  I was fortunate in this respect as I am who I am today due to all the wonderful family who helped raise me.

In a similar respect, my sons seem to draw people to them.  I had a unique experience this evening as I worked to get an employment assessment done in the campground common area.  Due to Wi-Fi issues at this campground, I found myself spending a few hours in a room full of strangers.  A funny thing happens when you put a bunch of campers together, some full timers, some snow birds and others on vacation.  There is this unspoken sense of respect and care that one would not find in an outside public gathering. 

Although the room I was using had only one person using his laptop when I began, by the time I completed my task it was full of retirees playing a serious game of pool.  As cute as I’m sure those men thought Ty was, when he peered over the pool table I’m sure he stopped at least one pace maker for fear he’d grab one of their balls.

As I pushed to get my lengthy assessment completed my boys were growing hungry and impatient.  Considering this, on the whole my kids were fairly well behave, thankfully no screaming or whining.  Due to their temperaments a lovely woman offered to play connect four with James as she picks Ty up to sit on her lap.  She easily entertains my children while I finish what I needed to get done.  As a parent I know when it’s okay to allow someone else to help in those times of need.  Tonight was a perfect example. 

In this environment, I have found many people are more than happy to help, and share and smile when they see my boys.  I find their thoughts often drift to memories of their own children.  People are open and kind.  It’s a beautiful thing to see and be a part of.  Once again I feel fortunate for the circumstances in my life.