Happy Friday!

Scenes from the Fourth of July

by , posted on July 6th, 2012 in Features



all images © Dave K Cooper

This was a crazy week. It started Friday night with a massive storm that knocked out our power. From there, the crazy train kept on rolling with: a touring farm bus at a backyard BBQ (so cool!), wishing balloons floating across the sky, and a technicolored clown riding in the back of a flatbed.

There were times I found myself rubbing my eyes to make sure it was all real.

My friends, it was all very, very real. Most real of all was the support of our family, friends and neighbors who helped us through 5 days without power, AC, or phone.

We were offered free room and board, places to cool off, food, drinks, generators, and support. While I am forever saying, “I can’t do it alone,” I fear, deep down, it’s just a defense mechanism for when I feel I’ve failed.

I suppose there is a level of irony in here somewhere considering this week was a celebration of independence and we were completely dependent on our friends to make it through the week. But hey, the founding fathers couldn’t do it alone either. They banded together and called in the French to help.

So even though it borders on trite, I’m going to say it anyway: the power of community should never be underestimated. It is, quite honestly, incredible.

     


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4 Responses to “Happy Friday!”

  1. Sandra Says:

    July 6th, 2012 at 1:55 pm

    Related to this I have been thinking about why I am blogging – getting back to why I started in the first place. And it’s making friends and building community. Things are moving so fast – read this, look at that image, post more. I end up scanning and skimming when what I really want us to savor and enjoy.

    Sometimes you need these crazy power outrages or the summer to remember what really matters. More “trite” for you! I know that for me, I want to get to know the bloggers that I follow. Maybe I’ll have less time to grow more followers but so be it.

    [Reply]

    Jennifer Cooper Reply:
    July 6th, 2012 at 3:26 pm

    Sandra, I’m with you! I’ve always been about the quality of a conversation, not quantity. I’ve noticed this about myself at parties. I seem to have deep conversations with only a handful of people instead of many small ones with lots of people.

    [Reply]

  2. Caroline Says:

    July 6th, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    Exactly. This was beautiful.

    Like you, I rarely want to accept help so I love what you said here about that. You have great friends because you are a great friend to people–I can tell that.
    And, you always have a way to put a good spin on the things in life that aren’t fun. It’s a great gift to have, and I suspect another reason you are so well loved.

    I know you’ve gotten plenty of help, but please let me know if you need anything else? Is your power back on yet?

    [Reply]

    Jennifer Cooper Reply:
    July 6th, 2012 at 3:29 pm

    I’m just really very very lucky to have such awesome folks in my life. Growing up we lived in a terrible “community.” When my house caught on fire, the neighbors set up lawn chairs and watched, never asking if they could help. In fact they never said a word to us, just watched the “show” from their chairs.

    I think that’s why community is so important to me now and why I cherish it so much.

    And thank you so much for your offer!! You are the best! And yes, hallelujah, the power is back on.

    [Reply]

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