Martha’s Vineyard. Building community from the inside out.

There is one thing that Martha’s Vineyard does better than anywhere else…builds community.

Beyond the day to day civility of friends and neighbors living together on an island, this community knows who you are and how you are.  Small towns can be claustrophobic for me, a city girl used to anonymity and crowds. But as we continue to walk  through the endless trials of life on life’s terms, the comfort of this small community is proving to be essential to my survival.

The sustainability of a community depends on neighbors helping neighbors. Sharing tools and trades, food and spirit, friendship and empathy. I tend to walk around in my own little world, taking care of my business and family without too much thought to others, or their suffering. When I reach a little further, look a little deeper I can see that we all have something to contribute, to give to another that will help them, and ultimately help us.

Martha’s Vineyard is Paradise in the summer, and somewhere between average and far less than that in the winter. I am not specifically referencing the quiet or isolation, the loneliness that can engulf you on a gray winter’s day. This is construction and home management territory.  American economy is stalled and even if you wanted to find work here in the winter you’d be out of luck.  We have been adversely affected by the spiraling economy on a level that only tourism-dependent locals can understand. Our laborers are housing and construction based. We rent, sell, fix-up, winterize…houses.

To distract us and nourish us, the community has many options for food, gatherings and fellowship. There are holiday events to bolster the spirit and weekly suppers to interrupt the isolation. There are nature walks and yoga classes, evening classes in all sorts of random categories and people willing to give their time and energies towards a rich life here.

Even under the worst of circumstances, this island rallies around and comes together to support and help. A tragic illness, house fire, loss, no one is alone. Because of the size of our year round community, even if you don’t know the person directly, then you know someone who does. You know their children, husbands, wives or simply their positions…teacher, librarian, pastor, fireman. When the fund raiser is announced, we are ready. When the obstacle seems insurmountable, someone reaches out and shares the burden.

This has been a trying year for so many, and as we gather together at community meetings and events it is evident that we are still in the right place. That choosing this unconventional life will continue to reward in the places that are priceless, friends, relationships and community.