COMMUNITY THRIVING UPCOUNTRY, ANOTHER REASON TO CHEER

Country is pretty darn connected.

I was reminded of how tight our community is when I walked upstairs a few minutes ago and placed a bowl of soup on the table. The bowl of soup was from Melissa. She drove it over from her house when she heard I was sick. On the table was also an iPhone 4S, which belongs to Renee. She let Frank borrow her phone today when his broke.

What? Who are these trusting people? They give us iPhones and homemade chicken soup? What did we do to deserve this?

I’m reminded, though, that what Melissa and Renee did for us was typical of what they’d do for anyone else in the box and in our community. They’re just those kinds of people. And they’re not alone. A lot of you — all of you — have shown this rare form of connectivity.

You realize your kindness is strange, right? In a progressive, modern society where people often have more human interaction online than in person, it’s not typical to connect like this. Well, unless you’re a part of Hawaii. And especially if you’re a resident Upcountry.

Upcountry is unusual, though: our area has a strong sense of identity and work ethic. We’re proud of where we’re from: an agricultural, farming, paniolo group of small towns that’s thick with family roots and longtime neighbors. Many of us commute to town or elsewhere for jobs, and happily retreat back up the hill to our refuge amid the Haleakala hills.

The pride in the Upcountry area is strong. And the humility, grace and kindness of the people are also strong.

As I sit here with my bowl of soup, I’m reminded of why we’re so blessed to call this place home, and to call each of you family.

And as we quickly approach a new chapter for our box by moving into a new space, let’s keep in mind that the things holding us together can’t be purchased, built or ordered online. We have the rare thing called community. And we wouldn’t trade it for the world.

ON THAT NOTE: Good luck to all of our CFUM athletes participating in the Lahaina Winter Strength Challenge at 11 a.m. Saturday. We’re proud of you no matter what. Thanks for repping us so well and for demonstrating hard work, humility and strength in and out of the box. GO COUNTRY!!!!