Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Levels of community in cohousing

[Kevin Wolf (kjwolf]

At 11:08 AM 10/3/2001 -0700, you wrote:
> From: "Rob Sandelin" <floriferous [at] msn.com>
> >
> >My own definition of real community is when people give of themselves
> >without any expectation of notice or return because they care about each
> >other. This approach builds deep, caring relationships.

Hi all
A friend just sent me this poem she wrote that applies to what Rob, Bruce 
and many of you have been writing about.  Rob's definition above fits well 
with the definition of a hero below.  She advocates setting the 11th day of 
each month as Heroes Day and find ways to acknowledge the common every day 
heroes who make cohousing and other communities and our world a better, 
more sustainable place to live, and take care of children, the elderly - 
our past and future - and ourselves.
Kevin
********

(Please pass this along to others who might be interested.  Thanks.)
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This piece is intended to be read aloud.  It was written 15 September 2001
by Lois Richter <Lois [at] gotouring.com> 530-758-5058  (fax 758-7231)
P.O. Box 7, Davis CA 95617-0007 USA
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What is a hero?
     Heroes are people who help when they don't have to;
     help whether or not they benefit from it;
     help even if they risk themselves in the helping;
     help without being told to.

The eleventh day of September made us aware of many heroes.

Some on the ground helped others out of a crumbling building.
Some in the air knew they were going to die and acted so that no one below 
would die with them.  Some treated wounds of the body; some helped with 
wounds of the spirit.
Some died that day.
Some still live.

Whether or not we ever meet them, we know they all are heroes.

Let us, we the people, claim the eleventh day of EVERY MONTH as our "Hero's 
Day".  Let us honor those who have been heroes in days past, and those who 
will be heroes in days to come.
     Honor them
          -- but not necessarily with parades or days off work;
          -- not with large events or pre-programmed agendas;
          -- not by government edict.

Instead, let us honor them and celebrate "Hero's Day" as we go about our 
ordinary lives.
Let us tell each other stories of the bravery we witness;
let us acknowledge the heroes, large or small,  in our midst;
let us recognize in ourselves our own ability to be heroic;
and let us each strive to help, whenever we can.

We, the people, resolve to honor our heroes EVERY MONTH
and try to live better in our own lives, EVERY DAY.
     For our heroes are ordinary people.
          Common. Ordinary. People.
               Common!
                    As common as the stars in the sky...
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-- this essay, written by Lois Richter --
-- is intended to be READ ALOUD  --  
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