Caring is what keeps communities, country strong

In answer to a writer’s question “is there not some one quality of which all the citizens must be partakers, if there is to be a nation at all?” I would suggest there is a quality residents of this nation share in this great nation.

A shared need to participate and care about those in the community one lives in.

We grew as a nation as people came here from other countries, did whatever jobs they can or could find, and raised families. The Black communities did not arrive of their own volition, but rather as slaves that white people owned. As Civil Rights freed them they often became pillars of their communities contributing to this nation.

We are a multicultural, multiethnic nation. We show how we care for one another not only in times of crisis, but on a daily basis in each of our 50 states.

Locally I have had wonderful care from my integrated medicine internal medicine doctor at Marshfield Clinic who takes time to chat with me, my reliable, encouraging computer guy I trust when my computer goes haywire even the mail lady at the post office who offers not only diligent work but a smile as well.

As a Rib Lake Library Trustee, I am impressed by the breadth of knowledge, care, concern and work the Board does to keep our library accessible to all residents.

As a community this pandemic is stressful - we are all tired of sheltering in place. Yet, we still wear our masks, practice social distancing, wash our hands because we care about others we mingle with and don’t want to either infect them with COVID 19 or become infected.

It is this caring about others that keeps this nation strong even as we humans may disagree about one thing or another.

— Sue Roupp, Rib Lake