The last few months have been uncertain and challenging, to say the least. As we’ve ridden this rocky ship, I’ve been reminded of the incredible anchoring power of community.
The murder of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband, Mark Hortman, and their dog, Gilbert, shocked, saddened and angered me.
I knew Melissa and looked up to her. I didn’t know what to do with my emotions until I read a statement from their adult children, Sophie and Colin — who are close in age to my own. Their words stuck with me:
“Hope and resilience are the enemy of fear. Our parents lived their lives with immense dedication to their fellow humans. This tragedy must become a moment for us to come together. Hold your loved ones a little closer. Love your neighbors. Treat each other with kindness and respect. The best way to honor our parents’ memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else.”
Their statement reminded me of how the small things — the quiet acts that make life just a little better for someone else — hold our community together.
I thought of Dorothy Richmond’s The Good Neighbor column from the June 2025 issue of Hill & Lake Press and her story about her helpful neighbor, Peggy.
Dorothy ended her column with, “May you have many Peggys in your neighborhood. And if you’re lucky enough, be one.”
My family and I are lucky to have many Peggys in our lives — people who do small and big things to make our days better.
They fix our bikes, let our dogs out on busy days and even offer a cold beer when our fridge is empty, but I could really use one.
Our neighbors are such an important part of our lives that we can’t imagine ever moving.
I’m also reminded daily that community stretches beyond my block. It includes people I know well, those I only know in passing, by their dog or by our shared routines.
Whether they know it or not, they do small things that brighten my life: the man on the 10-speed who waves as he pedals by blasting ’80s tunes I can sing along to, the Westie dog-walking crew who greet me from afar and noticed when we sadly lost one of our dogs too soon, or the Wal greens pharmacy tech who always asks how I’m doing.
I don’t know their names, life stories or political beliefs. But we acknowledge each other. We recognize our shared humanity. I consider them part of my community — and I miss them when they’re gone for too long.
I could go on about the people who make a difference in my day through small, ordinary acts of kindness. Whether they realize it or not, they create a sense of belonging and connection. I can only hope I do the same for them.
Nothing in life is certain. But as the world continues to change rapidly around us, I remain committed to working with and for my community — especially for those most impacted and unseen. We have countless Peggys among us, performing small and large acts of kindness every day. I encourage you to recognize them — and if you’re lucky enough, be one.
