I started building community by baking. I take cookies, muffins, or cakes around to every house that is around mine. After I started that, my neighbor cut his sago palms back so they wouldn’t scratch my mom when she walks by with her walker. His son began mowing our front lawn. I also planted wildflowers and herbs. I dry and jar oregano and mint and make small bouquets of wildflowers. The neighbors all stop and chat now. It’s a lovely beginning.
Amy! This is such a beautiful example of the butterfly effect! I used to have a long-time neighbor who baked chocolate pies and would bring them over from time to time. Then another older couple would always share baked goods at Christmas with neighbors. Now, it’s mainly younger couples and I don’t really know my neighbors anymore. Thank you for inspiring me to keep their memories and example alive!
It’s so important. I hope you connect with the next generation. My neighbors are in their 80s and across the street are a couple with one freshman in college and one in high school. Our kids are grown. Food is the great equalizer!
Thank you for taking the time to read it so carefully and for sharing your own experience. Your description of life in Crete perfectly illustrates the point I hoped to make.
Communities become stronger when people know one another well enough that trust, generosity, and responsibility become part of everyday life rather than something imposed from above.
I also admire what you’ve built through Veterans Club Crete. Creating opportunities for veterans to form friendships, support one another, and reconnect through the island’s history and landscape is exactly the kind of local initiative that helps communities flourish. Those relationships often matter far more than we realize.
Thank you again for your thoughtful reflections and for the work you’re doing in Crete. I hope others are inspired not only by the article but also by examples like yours.
What a beautiful life you’ve built. I admire your community. Is your group for American vets or all local vets? Either way, I think of my B-I-L and the way he can relax and breathe and feel at home around his fellow vets in a way that I don’t think he can do otherwise. Bless you for providing that kind of peace.
Absolutely it is amazing what Alan has done. It is great to see Vets coming together and creating communities of brotherhood. Especially in older age, they need people around them.
I started building community by baking. I take cookies, muffins, or cakes around to every house that is around mine. After I started that, my neighbor cut his sago palms back so they wouldn’t scratch my mom when she walks by with her walker. His son began mowing our front lawn. I also planted wildflowers and herbs. I dry and jar oregano and mint and make small bouquets of wildflowers. The neighbors all stop and chat now. It’s a lovely beginning.
That is a beautiful and heartwarming success story. Thank you for sharing.
Amy! This is such a beautiful example of the butterfly effect! I used to have a long-time neighbor who baked chocolate pies and would bring them over from time to time. Then another older couple would always share baked goods at Christmas with neighbors. Now, it’s mainly younger couples and I don’t really know my neighbors anymore. Thank you for inspiring me to keep their memories and example alive!
Can I be your neighbor? <3
It’s so important. I hope you connect with the next generation. My neighbors are in their 80s and across the street are a couple with one freshman in college and one in high school. Our kids are grown. Food is the great equalizer!
Thank you for taking the time to read it so carefully and for sharing your own experience. Your description of life in Crete perfectly illustrates the point I hoped to make.
Communities become stronger when people know one another well enough that trust, generosity, and responsibility become part of everyday life rather than something imposed from above.
I also admire what you’ve built through Veterans Club Crete. Creating opportunities for veterans to form friendships, support one another, and reconnect through the island’s history and landscape is exactly the kind of local initiative that helps communities flourish. Those relationships often matter far more than we realize.
Thank you again for your thoughtful reflections and for the work you’re doing in Crete. I hope others are inspired not only by the article but also by examples like yours.
What a beautiful life you’ve built. I admire your community. Is your group for American vets or all local vets? Either way, I think of my B-I-L and the way he can relax and breathe and feel at home around his fellow vets in a way that I don’t think he can do otherwise. Bless you for providing that kind of peace.
Absolutely it is amazing what Alan has done. It is great to see Vets coming together and creating communities of brotherhood. Especially in older age, they need people around them.
Thank you for your reply. I will indeed share your words with John. It will do his purple heart good. <3 All best to you and those in VCC.