Op-ed: What’s Next?
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On a warm afternoon last November, I was on Market Street in downtown Parkersburg and realized, to my own amazement, there wasn't anywhere else I'd rather be. I was at a sidewalk table, with a great sandwich and a locally brewed beverage, laughing with friends I'd met on a stroll down Market Street.
We had viewed a wonderful exhibit of residents of the Mid-Ohio Valley called "A Season of Peace." WVU Parkersburg had engaged photographer John Noltner as artist-in-residence to create a portrait of our community. More than a hundred people answered the question "When have you found strength in the midst of struggle?" and their responses with portraits were hung in store windows along Market Street.
The posters made powerful statements about getting through these times: "I find strength in my inner self because you don't know how strong you truly are until all you have left is your will to survive." "I've learned no one has all the answers. We're always learning especially in times of struggle. I find strength in my faith and the people in my life." "Always do your best, believe, and never, never, never give up." "I found strength in the examples set by my parents. Through job changes and family illness, they persevere." "I have found strength in my connectedness. Connection with God, my family and my friends." "This year's struggles have shown me that our community's greatest strengths are our ability to be resilient, to persevere, and be supportive of one another."
As we sat in the cafe, we shared a rich conversation about where strength comes from, sparked by the exhibit. I realized the experience was as good as any trendy spot I had enjoyed elsewhere. It was better, actually, because it was here, in my home, with people I cared about. With all my heart I wanted this place to always be as vibrant as it was at that moment.
That's why I am writing this column today. It is the first in what we hope will be an ongoing conversation about our shared lives here and what it can be. I'm part of a grassroots group, What's Next MOV, that convenes open conversations about the hopes and concerns of people who live here. For our community to be resilient and work for everyone, the voices of all parts of our community need to be heard.
We're calling this column "What's Next?" What's coming in the future that we need to be prepare for? What needs to happen that won't, unless we all make it so? What do we not talk about that needs to be raised? With vaccinations starting, our first question we can all answer:
What is the first thing you are going to do when it's safe again?
Respond on our What's Next MOV Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/WhatsNextMOV
We'll report back on what people have missed in our next column, and where that might lead us as a community. The basic rule of this conversation is to listen carefully and respond in a spirit of mutual respect, honesty and tolerance. So, join in! Share your thoughts, and read those of others on Facebook. Suggest other questions. What's next for the Mid-Ohio Valley?