The Mormon Lit Blitz Continues....
Today's Piece: "Thick and Thin" by Vilo Westwood
In an era when people are extremely mobile, often moving vast distances multiple times in the course of their lives, Mormon wards--especially in major educational and economic centers--face certain challenges and make certain contributions as communities where many members have little long-term tie to the area. This piece looks at the way one character and one ward are managing these challenges.
What do you think of the piece?
What have you seen wards do to help new members connect to the ward? To the area?
What else could wards reasonably do to strengthen a sense of community in an era of migration?
I loved how perfectly this piece captured the feelings and frustrations of moving long distances. There's always a bit of culture/climate shock, short tempers resulting from piles of boxes, a few days of minimal food options, and that weird loneliness when you're encircled by blank white walls and realize there is no one you know that you could get together with, even if you wanted to. It reminded me of our last big move: after all the movers left and we put the baby down, my husband and I sat on the skewampus couch eating takeout Cafe Rio at 11 pm. It's a surreal feeling.
ReplyDeleteI found myself imagining Emily and Brad's reconciliation later that night and their gradual adjustment to and then love for their new home. The church definitely tends to make such transitions easier with instant social connections and community.
I identify with this lady. I work from home and take care of my little daughter while my wife does her corporate job. In my previous ward it took years for me to get to know anyone because all the men were off at work and the women didn't know what to do with a stay-at-home dad.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, we moved to a condo with a pool. I got to know everyone in just a few days because my daughter is such a little fish. Every ward should have a pool!
Merrijane says, "The story of the plan if salvation is one of migration in some respects. We are displaced--strangers in a strange land, waiting for the time we can return home."
ReplyDelete