By Erik Rusilko
Hope seems scarce now. The world currently seems as if the garden of hope has been paved over. Yet, as we see in the real world, that garden still persists. Through the cracks of struggle, one plant persists, and sprouts through the cracks. Though frail, it erodes the surrounding concrete, and carves space that allows for more to grow. Soon, that pavement is no longer a barrier, but a catalyst for a garden of stronger, more interconnected, and deeply rooted plants.
Even nature demonstrates the importance of community. Beneath our feet, fungi interweaves its hyphae into the roots of every tree in a forest, creating means for connection, communication, support, sustainability, and growth. Each tree stands independently, yet their roots are woven together. Through this network, each tree is given adequate water, sugar, and strength for the whole forest to thrive. The young trees support the old, and the old guide the young. Even warnings of danger travel through these threads. Because of this community, the forest not only survives, but flourishes. Should this not be the same for us? To thrive as a people in Beaver County, we must weave ourselves together to create that community so we may flourish, so we may be whole.
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Beaver County, Pa