The Village of Meridian

By Anne McKee

October 18, 2007 11:06 pm

— Do you remember the book, It Takes a Village? The book, written by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, recently celebrated ten years in publication, and continues to be a popular read as it proposes the ideal of broad community responsibility for the upbringing of children.
Allow me to stop here, and announce in no way is politics included in my commentary regarding this wonderful book. No, not at all, rather, I have found the concept of this book to be powerful, and thought provoking ... also; I have observed in Mississippi that a concern and caring for children is not a new concept. Read on as I share personal witnessing of: The Village of Meridian.
My earliest recollections of “my village” were as a child of the 1950’s and my neighborhood. The next-door neighbors, Mr. Frank and Carrie Dennis, plus Aunt Eula Lamb, an ole maid sister of Mrs. Dennis, or Grandma Dennis as I called her, were more than neighbors, but endearing and gentle people as only the south can produce.
Mr. Dennis was a conductor on the railroad, and his normal route was to New Orleans. As a child I didn’t pay too much attention to discusses of his on-the-job adventures, but I sure did notice when he would bring fresh seafood back from New Orleans for Grandma to cook, especially, the live turtles. I’ve never been one to enjoy creepy-crawlies ... nope, not me. But when he would arrive with lobsters, turtles and the like, I would get a call to come over and see ... see what he had. Of course, I would go running and upon arriving would begin squealing. Try as he might, Mr. Dennis could never entice me to become chummy with the varmints, but I sure could lap down Grandma’s delish turtle soup.
As a young mother, my momma would rely on the advice of these wonderful neighbors. It was they who suggested Lillback’s Antiseptic as an antidote for just about anything. Together, they nursed me through the measles, mumps, and scraped knees as they touched my heart with kindnesses and words of wisdom I still rely on today.
Perhaps comradeship of the loving and interplaying of neighbors is unusual for the 21st Century, and I’m certain it is for most neighborhoods of working parents, and busy retirees, but what a shame. Yes, many hours of memory-making, heart touching and life changing times will be lost forever because of the changes our society has made during the last 50 years or so ... making the village concept all the more important.
Another childhood village I remember were the entrepreneurs of the time. A couple of them were, Miss Sadie’s at Highland Park, and Blue Haven located on Royal Road. I term these wonder-filled locations as entrepreneurs of the day because of the few opportunities open for children to explore new ideas outside their homes or neighborhoods. At Miss Sadie’s children could enjoy the great outdoors as well as dabbling with beginning arts projects, and at Blue Haven children were introduced to story-telling and reading of books.
In later years I was privileged to observe the churches of our town become involved with after-school projects, helping children with homework, and providing snacks, plus a safe place until the parents returned from work. I remember in particular attending a district meeting of the Methodist church to hear the discussions of several elderly grandmothers of St Paul UMC as they made plans for the new school year. Their after school activities were planned with great excitement and anticipation, perhaps not providing technological advances and instruction, but what they could do. I challenge anyone to downplay the importance of a warm grandmotherly hug accompanied by a plate of cookies for the students as they filed into the church after a hard day at school. I would add: This is a perfect village for the children.
This morning I was thinking, ‘Where is my village? What can I do to make a difference with the upbringing of children?’
I suppose it’s a mindset. You know, some would think, bringing up children is not my responsibility. I’ve already done my part. Hey, I donate money at the church. I pay dues at the local community club or arts organization. Let “them” do it. Guess what? We’re all part of “them.”
I encourage you to find your village for the children, and I can make the promise that your life will never be the same as you go about joining with others to create programs, and activities which not only meets the needs of children and their parents but, in the long run, save our communities. As Mrs. Clinton stated, “ ... nothing is more important to our shared future than the well-being of our children.”
So, where is your village?