HEART OF STEELE

For someone who spends a fair amount of time on Facebook, I don’t visit the “Concerned Citizens” groups very often.

The conversations can get political, and I don’t need any more of that in my life.

Recently, I checked back in with one of the groups after several weeks and as I scrolled through the posts, one jumped out at me. Someone had encountered an elderly man who appeared homeless and wanted to find help for him.

In the 55 comments, people mentioned they’d helped him out with money, coffee, and sandwiches, and suggested places to find support. A few even offered to drive him to medical appointments.

The original poster (OP, for you social media types) had high praise for Community Pathways. She wrote that they quickly put together a care package with food, water, and toiletries, and told her to take any clothing items he might need.

To me, it was a testament to the work done by Community Pathways, Hospitality House, Rachel’s Light, and other groups that are working daily to not only help people who are homeless but also rally the community to support them. The message is simple, really–let’s all just take care of each other.

Sometimes, I run across comments that are less charitable: complaints about (presumably homeless) people living in parks, bad drivers, roundabouts, even the group itself. And I am so over the arguments about the new Minnesota state seal and flag.

Thanks to sharp moderators, though, those conversations don’t go too far. There are more posts looking for car detailers and local business recommendations, reminding people about safety around farm vehicles, asking about found pets, lost wallets, or missing keys.

But I suppose that’s community, isn’t it? All the negative stuff and the positive stuff and everything in between. People speaking their minds, sharing information, pouring out their hearts.

For better or worse, these groups are now part of our social fabric, and I suppose we just have to take the bad with the good.

But seriously, folks–enough about the flag.