GOT COMMUNITY? Justin Gomez 8th Grade • Homeschool
Community: “a group of people living in the same place or possessing a characteristic in common.” Or by my definition: a group of extraordinary people who are kind, open, and welcoming to one another, and who treat each other as though they were family. My definition gives an accurate insight into the true meaning of community. It’s not just some people who live near each other. It isn’t just some folks whose lawn you mow. It’s not some random neighbor you helped open a pickle jar. It’s much more than that; it’s the people who stand beside you, making you feel at home. The people who make you feel safe, and who care and watch over you as if you were family. That is community. And I know this because I speak from experience. When I headed into my first Winter Retreat, I will admit, I was incredibly uptight and nervous. Not only because it was a new experience, but because I was surrounded by older kids that I hardly knew. The Retreat is an annual camping event for my church’s youth group. I had only been to the weekly youth group meetings a few times and was not acquainted with the people there. Before the Retreat, I didn’t know what community really meant. I didn’t even know that I was standing right in the midst of one. When I first arrived at the camp, I held tight to my pillow and slung my duffle bag straps around my shoulder. At first there was a bit of confusion which didn’t veil the fact that I was
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