June 1, 2025
The anxiety and chaos around us regarding citizens who look different than us being placed in jail, the concern around the loss of funding for Medicaid for those receiving as well as the potential of health care facilities closing because of funding losses, the impact the tariffs are having on commodity prices and businesses, are all resulting in me having a very difficult time maintaining any type of positive outlook.
Not wanting to become a Chicken Little concerned that “The sky is falling,” I seek feel better incidents. I am going to share two in this week’s VIEW.
This past Memorial Day weekend, I put flowers at relatives’ and friends’ gravesites in Rippey. I observed there were 13 new trees that had been planted thanks to the Washington Township trustees. I learned these trees were planted with local tax dollars. Led by chair Neal Dollinger and trustees Greg Jacobs and Mary Hick, they have projected beauty for our future. The types included serviceberry, redbud, tulip, crab, and a Hornbeam Fire King. In addition to this the old hand water pump was repaired and is now usable so visitors may have access to water for planters, watering plants or shrubs.
Their efforts to make the cemetery “a beautiful place for those that come to visit” was voiced by trustee Hick. A reflection that our tax dollars are being used wisely.
The second shared incident brought tears to my eyes and pulled hard on my heartstrings.
I have a former high school friend who has recently moved to an assisted living facility in Ames. She shared the story of a dark skinned housekeeper coming into her room to sweep and empty the wastebaskets. He knocked and sought permission to enter. While working she engaged him in conversation about his home, which was Sudan. He is in the U.S. with his wife and three children and his mother-in-law. He completed his work and quietly left the room.
A few seconds after he left, there was a knock on her door. He stuck his head in and said,
“Thank you for talking to me.”
I am grateful that my friend Susan continues to retain her Iowa Nice values, and to our township trustees for their volunteer efforts.
My life remains filled with good people, but sometimes we need to search for those feel- good examples.
VIEW FROM MY WINDOW is written by Mary Weaver, from her home near rural Rippey.
