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The community I currently live in seems to revolve mainly around the Catholic church, besides it being the largest building in town, I think most of the residents consider themselves Catholic. The school district is also a big part of the community. When we first moved in I was neither part of the church or the schools, my neighbors were all busy with their own lives, and I just kind of existed. I was not part of the community, but I also didn't feel excluded. It's hard to explain. When my daughter was 4, we started going to church (long story, not really important for this post). In that church, I felt lost in the crowd. Many people knew each other and I was too shy to just start talking with them. Looking back, I wonder if I just didn't have enough in common with them, as I am not as religious (if at all) as they are. Forcing myself to become part of the religion community was not good for me or my family, and we stopped going. Since we stopped going, I feel more at peace, more like my own person. I do not miss the community feeling people talk about. Maybe I just don't need to feel that, where I once thought I did (maybe I should thank the internet for that?) I do like the town I live in, it is close to everything I need, but not *too* close, the school district is great for both of my kids (each of them with their own needs), and the neighbors pretty much leave us alone. They are there if we need them though, so that is good.
If I were to ever move, my internet community would go with me, relieving some pressure to find a physical community, because I think that would be very hard for me to do.
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"Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles." ~Alex Karras
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