The origin of “It takes a village to raise a child,” may be somewhat of a mystery, but that certainly makes the saying no less true. We are who we are mainly because of relationships we had with adults and values they taught us as children. This is especially true for those of us who grew up in small communities like Lakin, Deerfield and Kendall.
Our young minds were not only shaped by our parents but also by Sunday School instructors, Scout leaders, teachers and coaches. Even something as seemingly insignificant as the demeanor shown by the clerk who rang up our ‘candy’ bill at the local grocery store planted a seed about hospitality and good manners.
Local librarians ignited a spark that turned into a lifelong love of reading. Our first employers took a chance on fresh faces, taught us responsibility and rewarded us accordingly. As young athletes, musicians, and actors, we were cheered on by the entire community. Helpful words of advice were given freely and taken to heart.
Growing up in rural SW Kansas meant our parents knew everyone. We were set free on Halloween night to go all over town. Neighborhood moms were happy to give us a ride to school. Neighborhood dads shot hoops with us and repaired the flat tires on our bikes. We never went hungry because local gardeners were happy to share. Hand-me-downs from the family next door were eagerly accepted and appreciated. At our darkest moments, thoughtful souls stopped by with food for our families and words of comfort.
Times have changed, but fortunately Kearny County hasn’t. In this time of Covid-19 and all its uncertainty, we witness younger generations giving back to the “village” that gave them so much. In the midst of crisis, we see perhaps clearer than ever the true blessings of community and small town ways.