Someone said that true communities served 3 basic needs:
- to welcome and appreciate you,
- to help when you are sick or in need, and
- to remember you when you are gone.
It came to me today at Quaker Meeting that these are also things that drive us to seek a life partner. (“In sickness and in health” etc.) But that is just one path.
As someone currently without a partner, I’m reminded that there are many ways of receiving the care, love and appreciation that we all need — through our biological family, our close friendships or “chosen family”, our faith community, our life partner, or even our artistic communities like lindy hop, skating, or house dance. Or some combination of the above.
I’m grateful for my different circles of love and kindness that I’m involved in that meet these three basic needs for me. And wish for you all the same.
