David Brooks says “Far from being dull, artificial, and spiritually vacuous, today’s suburbs are the products of the same religious longings and the same deep tensions that produced the American identity from the start” (185). From this quote we can deduce that suburbs are the answer to religious longings and deep tensions of people today. Furthermore these suburb communities provide stability in people’s lives.
Yes stability, from her community, that was what Judy Stegner needed since her life was terribly shaken. Stegner recalled “Well, my Texas
In the interview with Ten G we talked about the stability in her current rental community, and her desire to count on neighbors for a long time to come. Interviewing my own daughter Ten G, 24 years old with two children, was interesting and somewhat revealing. When asked “What do you like about your neighborhood?” G said “My neighbors are friendly, and you can borrow things like an egg when you need. We help each other. If I need a babysitter real quick I’ve got one” (G). Clearly G is receiving some of the things she needs from her renting community. When asked “What do you hope your neighbors will be like at your new home?” G said “I hope my neighbors are friendly, easy to talk to, and have kids who can play with my kids” (G). For example G needs other kids to play with her kids. G needs friends to talk to. These needs are very important to her stability in her new community. Asking further “Does this home make you more stable in your life?” G responded quickly “Yes, because we own our own home instead of renting” (G). She was asked “How will you be more stable?” G explained “I know they will be there for a long time, not like renters that come and go” (G) Asking further “Why does that give stability?” G paused and then said “I can get to know my neighbors and build long lasting relationships with them. I can count on them for a long time to come” (G). G is longing for lasting relationships and needs this from her community to have stability in her life.
Stability comes from communities that meet each others needs. In my small local community, at the foot of the mountains, the snow line frosts the top of the trees which gives me a feeling of peace that my heart needs. Serving others when they need something is how my community functions. For instance hard work on church building projects, or painting projects at the boys and girls club has met some of our community needs. Likewise directing week long youth camping trips, playing guitar at Sunday night youth group meetings, has helped to fill needs for our own children and local youth. In the past winter storms pushed over trees and knocked put electrical power. Some people who lost electricity for a night or two needed a place to stay to have heat and food for their family. Locally there are plenty of opportunities to help meet the needs of people both personally and as a community. Therefore in this way my community provides stability for one another.
Yes each of these communities provides stability for their people. Like Ten G said “Neighbors are friendly, and you can borrow things like an egg when you need.” Like David Brooks said “…today’s suburbs are the products of the same religious longings and the same deep tensions that produced the American identity from the start” (185). And like Judy Stegner said “I’m so blessed. This is the closest circle of friends I’ve ever had” (Shari Caudron 173). They are all saying their communities provide stability, and that stability makes a wonderful difference in people’s lives.
Works Cited
Catherine G. Latterell. Boston
Caudron, Shari . "Befriending Barbie." Remix Reading and Composing Culture.
Catherine G. Latterell. Boston
G, Ten. Telephone Interview. 24 Apr. 2011.
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