 Why The Mesa Paper?
Because it is a good way to get to know our own neighborhood. The Mesa Paper will focus on home turf. It will be entirely about our Mesa neighborhood. (We leave the rest of the world to big-time media.)
All articles will be original - stories that weave the tapestry of our lives here on the Mesa with our own unique ways of celebrating life itself.
It will tell our stories - regular, common people close by. It will chronicle goings-on around our homes, our streets, our schools, our parks, our shopping center - the very places we move around in everyday.
We will learn more about the history of this place from accounts by those who have lived here all or most of their lives. On the other hand, the newcomers and transients will offer new and different perspectives, just as valuable to the development of our neighborhood.
Shared stories bring together the community. People who know and understand each other live in harmony and peace.
And a good place to start is where we live: our neighbors.
We take time to get to know their names; say ‘hi” to them at the market; have coffee with them; take walks together; when asked and able, cooperate for a common good; and when needed and possible, offer help. Just like a good neighbor.
Soon, we will begin see that the people next door are just like us. With laughter and tears and fears. With struggles and hopes and dreams.
It will be easier to say their names, no matter how strange they sound or how difficult they are to say or even more, to spell. Then, somehow, bringing them into the periphery of our lives won’t be such a hard thing to do. (Seeing the rest of the world will come more easily as well.)
In short, The Mesa Paper will help bring back our neighbors. We’ll be chatting more casually, more intimately. Yes, just like in a small town. Easy, simple unsophisticated, may even be folksy- the grassroots way. It’s OK. It will be more interesting and maybe even more enjoyable because it is familiar.
I am not a somebody in this world but I am certain that in my neighborhood, I am a some one. And so are you. We all are!
Just like many of us - I truly want to know who lives next door to me... next house... next block... next street. It adds my neighborhood to my comfort zone. It feels good.
Sharing good is even better. Let’s get to know each other. It is a good way to live.
The Mesa Paper is here to help make this happen. Please be a part of it.
handshakes, hi-fives and hugs,
alice |
