We lived through Tropical Storm Helene here in Western North Carolina.  As many know, the affects were, in most cases, beyond words.  The treacherous storm that inflicted its wrath on so many in a multitude of ways, loss of life, loss of home, loss shelter, water, and food.  I hear daily Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters with an occasional C130 fly over carrying needed supplies to those in need.  The list goes on, but something has grown from this ordeal that will have lasting results for many, for a long long time… a sense of community.  So often we also hear of the strength and courage of many, not only those who survived, but the support network of first responders, volunteers, and neighbors helping neighbors.

The sense of community struck me, not after the storm, but during.  Yes, during.  As I watched the storm’s fury from the safety of our home, the trees surrounding our home beckoned me to watch them as they swayed, not with scenes of beauty and serenity usually associated with those descriptive terms, but rather the violent thrusts of winds bursting through their limbs dislodging shattering weakened limbs and the fragile leaves torn from limbs as they readied to display their colors of fall’s splendor.  The winds shook, ravaged, and attacked, yet, I then noticed what maybe the trees wanted me to observe.  I ventured out on the covered back porch to see to experience even more what I watched from the safety inside.

The trees swayed in unison.  The tall ones, middle sized, young, and old they all moved together, in unison, weathering the onslaught of damaging winds.  Yes, some of the trees suffered.  But our tree community stayed strong and firm… together.  There are some intriguing  facts about trees that come to mind about the tree community.  Studying root systems of trees show not only how their underground roots can often be as vast underground as the flora above the ground.  Also, trees will intermingle with other trees’ root systems to both lend and gain support from each other, the truest depiction of a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from their interactions also known as mutualism.  Would that we as humans, I thought, could support each other because together, we can do, we can accomplish, so much more.

In the aftermath of the storm’s path a television reporter noted how the winds had been so fierce that a grand old oak toppled near a business.  It was tragic, but what immediately came to my mind, it stood alone without the support of other trees from its long gone community.  So, once again, I observed the importance of community.  There’s no guarantee, but it is possible that the grand old oak may have survived the winds had it been supported by other nearby trees.  Community.

This sense of community continued as it moved over the affected cities and towns of Western North Carolina.  The movement was like a wave of love and care caught up by people, people who saw and acted to support others in their community.  Beginning with the people within their own neighborhood, they reached out to each other to check on the well being of others, lend support in whatever capacity they could, offering and serving food, providing shelter, and distributing water and medical supplies or aid as needed.  In some cases, transporting and seeking assistance in behalf of others, all as selfless acts of loving kindness and caring for each other.  

That same wave of compassion spread further toward others helping and lending aid outside their immediate vicinity.  Within days, and sometimes hours, other neighboring communities stepped up to the challenge seeing, feeling the needs of others.  The next thing known nearby counties, even other states, joined the efforts to stabilize and assist those in need.

Community and connecting with others is vital.  In Druidry, as well as other cultures and ways of life, solitary contemplation has its advantages.  To be alone with oneself, we learn more about ourselves.  We learn how changes improve so many facets of our lives, to be better souls, better spirits, better human beings.  We learn to make our own music in life.  We reflect and enjoy all the natural world as to offer with its beauty, splendor, magnificence, and simplicity.  We learn to overcome difficulties.  We learn how to create patience, nurture self care, and become self aware.  But, ultimately, we, as humans need community.  

We need connections with others so much.  It’s known, people who experience chronic loneliness, like the lack of connecting with people, can have physical and mental health issues and a less than ideal quality of life.  People who suffer from chronic loneliness may have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and insomnia.  Connections.  Community.  They are vital to a healthy society, a healthy and compassionate world. 

Sometimes tragedy reminds us how important community is and how it binds us, reminds us, together, we are stronger just like the trees that bend and sway with adversity.  As trees who stand as a community against a raging storm so can we withstand adversities when we embrace the community who stands with us when storms arise, both the the devastating storms resulting from weather extremes and the recovery process and the virtual storms of adversity that may enter our lives.  As cliche as it may sound, remember, you’re not alone, dear one, you’re not alone.  You are part of community.