My Village People

I live in the same town that I grew up in. 

Heck, I only live a mile or two from my childhood home. 

 We attend the same church that I did when I was a kid. 

My grandparents graduated from the same High School my husband and I did, and now there great grandchildren are moving on through. 

My kids go to the same library and story time that I did. (And there grandmother is the librarian to boot)

The town pool (well more like a watering hole) is named after my grandmother.

My boys ride the same school bus I did, they even have the same bus driver I had 25 years ago. Crazy right? 

Why?

Well its not a coincidence that’s for sure. We did this on purpose. Not everyone has this opportunity to be surrounded by comfort and familiarity, I know this. But we had the opportunity and we did everything we could for our children to grow up here in a little town in upstate New York and I will tell you why. 

Because this is our village. 

I grew up as the youngest of five. I went through all my years of school always being asked, “Are you a Poland?” 

I was proud, I still am proud to tell people I am a Poland, and an Oaks. What that means is that I belong. I am part of a strong family unit that people identify with and welcome with open arms. 

This is where all the watching eyes kept an eye on me in high school, and let my grandma know when I was out of line. 

Or when the school bus driver, Pete would report to my mom and dad when I was a bit rowdy. 

Or even when my parents were occupied and caught up in raising there five kids, I could sneak a little extra attention. I knew my church school teacher would always love me even when I was a rambunctious 7 year old. (By the way my church school teacher ended up being my sister-in-law, go figure)

And when I was an awkward teen and dealing with painful and emotional challenges I would attend early morning church school. It was there my teacher would make every effort to be there for me, even come to my sporting games, concerts and plays to show me she loved me and supported me at such a vulnerable time. 

Also when I was on the sports field. As a pre teen and teenager so much support and belonging comes from having a team and a respectful coach. This is where I stretched myself, made lots of mistakes, was reprimanded but expanded my abilities and confidence. 

In all of these experiences I had the community, the church, the school district to know me, to love me and support me. Through this community I was able to start as a vulnerable, uncomfortable, awkward child (as all children do) and I developed into a confident, certain, strong young woman. 

As parents, we can’t do it all. We love our kids, we offer them help we hold them accountable but sometimes we need the support of our village to raise a strong child.