"It Takes a Village"

"It takes a village to raise a child" is an oft used and popular phrase. Some people believe it so deeply they adopt it as a key tenet of their life philosophy. Sadly, some see it as something misguided and representing a dangerous political mindset contributing to much that is wrong in our society. For reasons that escape me, some see it as somehow something that will allow socialism or communism or .... something bad for us gain a foothold in how we view life. I suppose part of it is attributed to the fact that Hillary Rodman Clinton heavily used the concept in her 1996 book It Takes A Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us. People love the concept or hate it often because of their political leanings, and frankly, I think that's a shame. It really wasn't a new idea with Hillary. She just helped promote the phrase and give momentum to it.

"It takes a village" is a concept that has been central to the way I have experienced life and tried to live. Let me share some of the ways the phrase has breathed meaning and value into my living: "It takes a team." "It takes a family." "It takes a choir." "It takes a scout troop." "It takes a church." "It takes a youth fellowship." "It takes a small group." "It takes a neighborhood." "It takes a gang." "It takes a group of friends." "It takes a committee." "It takes business associates." "It takes a band." "It takes a daycare." "It takes a Sunday School class." "It takes a service club." "It takes a clergy cluster." I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

There's no question that there were many in my hometown and throughout my life who had a hand in not only helping raise me but also forming me while challenging and encouraging me to grow - parents primarily, assuredly; but also siblings and cousins and grandparents and aunts and uncles; teammates; friends; parents of friends and neighbors; the youth fellowship and Sunday School classes and their respective leaders; as well as pastors, coaches, teachers, business owners and staff at the places I frequented; church members, committee members, service clubs, Bible study groups, classmates in high school and college and seminary. And most dramatically, intensely, intimately and lovingly, my wife, Dorothy.

It continues even to this day as I struggle with the realities of this journey with ALS - oh how I depend on, again Dorothy, but also doctors, nurses, therapists, medical equipment personnel, miraculous medical equipment, church members, the ALS Support group and ALS Association, family, friends, the Living With ALS - For PALS Only Facebook page, the Patients Like Me website, Facebook friends and family, fellow clergy, old and new neighbors, etc. Yes indeed, "it takes a village" to deal with ALS and many other diseases and life situations.

I write this post because a group of friends of a newly diagnosed PAL attended our last ALS Support Group meeting. As I remember it, five friends (primarily church members I believe) came to the meeting to learn more about this disease robbing their friend of life and how they might be more helpful to their PAL. I was impressed with their spirit, their passion, their interest, their determination, their willingness to be "the village it is going to take" to help their friend on this journey.

Yes, "it does take a village" and I want to close by simply complimenting this group of friends for being their PALS' village! Peace and God's blessings on you all!