By Steve Flairty
Special to NKyTribune
It was already late in the week and I wasn’t sure what my next Kentucky by Heart column topic would be. Sometimes, ideas come grudgingly, which means no words move onto paper. When that happens, I get a little nervous. My deadline for Tuesday’s column is on late Sunday night (or early Monday morning if I choose to go that route… but yawn).
The fact that I am a slow writer made starting this late a deadline challenge. On occasion when I run late, I’ll recycle a previous KBH, usually after a year or more has passed. I don’t like to do so, though the columns are usually well-received despite the repeat. Makes me wonder: Did those readers like it the first time and wanted to read again? Did they read, but forget it? Or were they new readers just now introduced to KBH?
Maybe Mr. Virgo shouldn’t worry about it. Just get to writing.
This is a column about passion for Kentucky. It’s meant to portray an appreciation for everyday slices of life making up the state’s humble, yet culturally compelling social fabric. For that reason, I thought back over some of the past weeks’ experiences for an idea, a theme…something I could share with readers
A few Sundays ago while attending First Christian Church, in Versailles, I heard a compelling pulpit message from Sharon Tankersley, subbing for our pastor, Marcus Lynn, away on a mission trip to Haiti. She talked eloquently about the subject of mental health. It is an issue that she said is often misunderstood and is more common than one would think. She had much more information than the time she was given to share, but I thought her basic message came through clearly: Mental health is an issue that touches all, and that includes the faith community throughout Kentucky. That’s a matter worth follow-up attention.
Then I pondered the effects of last week’s torrential rainstorm. At my Woodford County community, most residents experienced the loss of electrical power, some for several days. My wife and I were lucky, losing power for less than 24 hours, though we had no Internet service or cable TV for about five days. I watched Facebook social media on my phone, however, and there were remarkably positive things happening. One woman indiscriminately posted that she had cooked a hot meal and “anybody was welcome to come and eat.” I could imagine that being somewhat problematic with the post going out to thousands, but you have to love her kindness.
Neighbors helped neighbors, many elderly people were checked on. Downed tree branches were cleared (often with volunteers’ aid), and local businesses reached out to the community by extending services when possible. Some people simply shared pertinent information during the emergency, facilitating resources available for those in need.
Over the years, I’ve watched Kentuckians “step up” on behalf of others when challenging times occurred, and once again, I’m proud of my state despite many inherent problems that need to be confronted.
A definite highlight of the last week was interviewing Casey Neely about the work of the Kentucky United Methodist Home for Children (KUMHC) at their new headquarters on Ash Grove Road near Nicholasville.
The organization’s good work is a great story of servanthood that started during the post-Civil War days. It began in Louisville by providing support to widows and orphans resulting from the terrible ravages of the conflict. Though the organization today has only about 15 residents at each of their two locations, Nicholasville and Owensboro, Casey mentioned that KUMHC serves as many as 900 youths per year through outreach programs. The mission, officials say, is simply “to help children and families who are suffering to receive healing and hope.”
This past Tuesday, I traveled to Northern Kentucky to the Cristo Rey Parish in Florence where Sister Juana Mendez, a native of Puerto Rico, carries out her compassionate duties serving Hispanic immigrants who seek American citizenship. I asked her about the charge that murderers and rapists from south of the border were running rampant in America, and she responded that the percentage of such were very small and that she “didn’t want those kind here either.”
Her days usually begin at her small office at the church, a part of the Diocese of Covington. Seemingly endless time is spent with her clients in person or on the phone, and she spends a great number of hours in the courtroom. Her reward, she said, comes from the personal satisfaction received when a client gains their “green card.”
The majority of the Hispanic immigrants are here to do what’s best for their families, she maintains. “Some of them work as many as three jobs,” she noted, “and they’re willing to do any kind of work.”
She has an accumulated workload of some 250 people. Lives are being changed for the better, and Kentucky is a richer place because of this faithful and compassionate woman.
My wife and I were invited to the 50th wedding anniversary reception of friends Jerry and Karen Cottingham at their home yesterday. They requested, instead of bringing a personal gift, a non-perishable food item for the local God’s Pantry Food Bank.
In my mind, Jerry and Karen’s kind gesture is symbolic of the good graces of so many around our state. And in searching until late in the week for a theme for the current column, maybe I’ve found it by simply sharing a glimpse of the spirit this couple, Sharon, Casey, Sister Mendez, and the good neighbors around Woodford County exhibit.
After all that musing about the last few weeks, the column, I guess, wrote itself. Not a bad way to meet the daunting deadline.
May you have an inspiring Kentucky by Heart week!
Steve Flairty is a teacher, public speaker and an author of six books: a biography of Kentucky Afield host Tim Farmer and five in the Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes series, including a kids’ version. Steve’s “Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes #4,” was released in 2015. Steve is a senior correspondent for Kentucky Monthly, a weekly NKyTribune columnist and a member of the Kentucky Humanities Council Speakers Bureau. Contact him at sflairty2001@yahoo.com or visit his Facebook page, “Kentucky in Common: Word Sketches in Tribute.” (Steve’s photo by Connie McDonald)
