The shared endeavor of living near one another and caring about each other is a lot of what keeps ties strong.
When someone faces a challenge, sudden or long term, it weighs heavily on many who know and love the person or people involved..and ripples out across the social circles and literally the web of connection (in person and online.)
Every person taking time whether here or in more direct ways or peripheral ways is learning about heartfelt life experiences…and as difficult as that is, it’s a blessing in many ways to be able to share life in such a meaningful way. May the family and friends of this special person and others who have crossed over feel the love and support of the MA/NY CT tri-corner area and beyond.
A special acknowledgement to all of the first responders who helped with this and many efforts over the years.
Each emergency calls forth a great deal of courage, know-how and persistence often in dangerous conditions.
Whatever we can do to avoid situations that put ourselves or others in peril the better.
Likely that would mean having more of a support team to not have to travel as often as some do (car pool or do some errands for one another,) to call as someone happened to do (which let a search effort start in a timely manner.)
We can let people know in general where we go, who they can call to check our plans and so on..and much more to learn about car and weather safety (not driving in storms if there’s an option, to be flexible about timing and even cancelling events if dangerous weather is expected such as storms during a big fair.
Likely many smaller gatherings to help people stay in touch and even recruit more people to help one another or to live in the area for one or more months of the year could round out offerings (and provide assistance to some who may needs help and not quite realize it with driving, safety and activities of daily living such as shopping, cooking, housekeeping, managing finances and record keeping, socializing and getting to medical, dental and vision appointments regularly.
Just ‘the basics’ can be the source of needing to get out and about or have support at home.
When a larger challenge arises, including a stressful event whether a move, injury, loss or fatality, ideally regular support teams could have back-ups and ongoing support to adjust to a ‘new or different’ normal.
That has largely been our family’s experience after facing the sudden loss of our teen son in 2009 in the Housatonic River in Ct. The kinds of help came from efforts in neighboring states as I was able to find them and for each family member and friend in their support circles which likely grew over the years in positive ways.
I recount more on a Facebook page in Kaelan Alexander Palmer Paton’s memory. His service is in short clips on youtube and reflect the kind of love and care that is part of the tri-corner area and folk music networks and faith and alternative healing efforts both in person and online that have enriched our lives and hold out growing hope for our shared earthly and spiritual journeys.