This past week, Sarah and I made a stop in Logan County. During community night, their weekly musical entertainment performed an original song about coal mining. Afterwards, the performer picked out a line in the song about asking your neighbor for a cup of sugar. He wondered why most people don’t really pop over to their neighbor’s home and ask for ingredients to complete a recipe like they used to. I thought to myself that may be the case and might say something about where we are at as a society, but I think the work at ASP goes to show that we are still helping our neighbors. Whether it be conducting a critical home repair or pitching in to hit a fundraising goal, those in ASP’s community are always reaching out with that last bit of sugar to top off a cake.
This lesson extends throughout a week with ASP. Evening gathering on Wednesday nights involves an activity where volunteers attempt to construct houses out of craft supplies, unknowingly having different amounts and types of materials. The lesson of this task is that some people may not have the ability to build a safe, structurally sound home, or the same resources than others, but they still have to try. During the EG, staffers sometimes prompt volunteers to share with other groups if they have things like tape or paper clips. The groups are normally in competition mode, so they may not think to help out their neighbor. Still, it is a teaching moment that shows we are able to spread out resources and uplift others just like we do in ASP.
Maybe a donation is a small amount of your cup of sugar, but someone else might be plum out and needs just one cup to change their life. This idea applies outside of the home repairs that are conducted by ASP. We always talk about filling our cup, meaning you are feeling fulfilled and whole. I often look towards those around me and the ones I love to fill my cup. During this summer, I have found myself just taking a moment to sit with the absolute awe-inspiring work that is happening all around me. When we are in community with one another, we give to others in ways we don’t always realize.
Constantly, we are supporting others and letting them support us. Sometimes this is passive and requires no questioning, but reaching out for help creates a special bond. There is trust built into the act of asking and an acknowledgement that you can’t just do it on your own. Handing off that cup of sugar or throwing in that extra joy to fill someone’s cup makes it known that there is someone out in the world willing to do so.
Homeowner’s relinquishing a bit of control in hopes that their home can be safe and complete again is a leap of faith. I have heard many homeowners talk about how surprising it is to see young teenagers come in and do work on their home. This service is more than just lending a cup of sugar. The community of ASP and the dedication to taking care of each other serves to prove that there are still people who would lend you some ingredients if you popped next door to ask. Let’s keep sharing with our neighbors and ensuring those we encounter can have that cup of sugar they may need to keep going.
Taylor Beam
Story Gathering Intern
