The power of community

As I sit, writing this week’s column, memories from days gone by rush through my mind. Seven years ago, the little town of Van Buren transformed into the epicenter of travel for a time as a seemingly endless convoy of vehicles entered our city. All, hoping to catch a glimpse of the devastation caused by the historic level of flooding we experienced when the waters of the Current River and its tributaries swelled beyond their banks. Today, eerily it seems we are reliving that moment like an ill-fated rerun on the television screen.

With a sense of foretelling, the residents of this small community have sprung into action, warning their neighbors and quickly preparing for a worse case scenario by loading property, filling sandbags, and entering prayerful repose for something much grander than themselves. I watched as teachers and students worked endlessly to protect public property. All choosing to give of themselves for a cause. I saw business owners put the call out offering safe storage and church members arrive in mass at the homes of friends, willing to help any way they could.

I watched inquisitive children discuss how hard it was back in 2017 and the fears they felt. Feelings which have been seemingly overshadowed by a commitment to resilience and overcoming, they now feel. As the little town prepares for the worst while praying for a reprieve, I find pride in my decision to live in a community where generations of my family have called home. A place where my children can see neighbors lending a hand to others simply because it’s the right thing to do.

I thought about how over the years my children have picked up on conversations about how some were upset and some angry about the community and public response to the historic flood of 2017. Determining in their little minds that division existed. As I addressed the issue with my daughters, I thought about how I once heard a long-time local say, “It took a flood’ aftermath to divide this quaint community.” As I think about that statement and what I’ve seen today, I pray that if that was in fact the truth maybe, just maybe, this flooding will bring us all back together.

What more can any parent wish for? A community who can rise and embrace one another through thick and thin. For when we can overlook our differences and differing opinions and embrace the commonality of being neighbors, brothers, sisters, and fellow Ozarkians, it is then that we can thrive knowing that regardless of the situation, you have a friend in me and mine. Forget the past instances where we felt unheard my friends, center on our future and do everything in our power to further our mission, together.

Richard J. Stephens lives in Carter County and is the father of three little ladies ranging in age from nine to 29. His experiences being a single parent, co-parent, and leader, provide a unique perspective to a wide array of issues families face in our modern times. Fulfilling roles as a youth director, elected mayor, educator, county sheriff and business owner adds to his experiences and bolsters his light-hearted approach to life. Tales from the Dad Side is a journey depicted through one man’s experiences penned through written stories and tales which modern families can relate to as they traverse this life.