Friendship

It takes a village, and many hands make light work.

Yes, I am mixing my proverbs, but I find myself reflecting on how relevant both have been to Oak House Benefits (OHB) over the last several months. It is due entirely to the love and support of our village that we have transformed from an idea voiced uncertainly over dinner, to the proud reality being shared here, and beyond.

A couple weeks ago, I made an “impromptu” trip to the office (with tongue firmly in cheek, as these days, my impromptu visits tend to happen every weekend). As part of our plans to run errands, I had family in tow and had only a mild sense of fishiness when my partner suggested we park at the back of the building, instead of at the front as we usually do. As we rounded the corner, out came her telephone to record my reaction, and into view appeared a familiar car occupied by a familiar face. As I tried to process my disjointed thoughts, another familiar car with two more familiar faces pulled into the parking lot.

Imagine my surprise to realize that they had all come together to surprise and congratulate me on the opening of this new office, and to celebrate the progress made at OHB. They had taken the time to select, purchase, deliver and plant two young oak trees at the back of our property over the weekend. There were bows on the trees, watering cans in the car and the promise of stakes and burlap and care instructions to follow.

Thoughtful. Generous. Wonderful. These are just some of the amazing people in our Oak House Benefits village. Without their unwavering support and encouragement over the last several months, there may have not been a place to plant those trees. There may not have been an occasion to celebrate new growth, or an opportunity to learn and reflect that oak trees first channel their growth downward to form solid roots before they refocus energy to drive their growth upwards.

I am so grateful, and fortunate to have support like this as we grow OHB. Especially from friends like Margot Neill, John Hall, and Shannon McMannis, the familiar faces in the familiar cars.

Because of the many hands of our village, our journey here has been much lighter work, indeed. Thank you again, for helping us plant not only our figurative roots, but our literal roots as well.