This reflection on mutuality is both moving and needed. Your description of HopeWords and the Appalachian region offers a beautiful model of what it means to live in true reciprocity—where dignity is honored, stories are exchanged, and transformation flows both ways. Too often, charity becomes a one-directional act. But what you’ve described here—hospitality given and received, stories rewritten in community—is mutuality at its most powerful. Thank you for inviting us to reimagine how we relate to places, people, and even faith itself, not as saviors or tourists, but as guests willing to receive and be changed.
Love this! We go to Asheville and surrounding area as much as possible. Still a long way to go especially in Biltmore Village but the Biltmore Estate is open & so are lots of places in the area! So thankful for the recovery taking place & all the places that are up and running again!! Mountain strong!!!!💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Your thoughts about mutuality remind me of my favorite Wendell Berry essay, Health is Membership from Art of the Commonplace. And of course, Jayber Crow, which is that essay put to story.
Amen and a half to every word.
Thank you for this. Hope I can make it to Bluefield one day.
You’d love it!
This reflection on mutuality is both moving and needed. Your description of HopeWords and the Appalachian region offers a beautiful model of what it means to live in true reciprocity—where dignity is honored, stories are exchanged, and transformation flows both ways. Too often, charity becomes a one-directional act. But what you’ve described here—hospitality given and received, stories rewritten in community—is mutuality at its most powerful. Thank you for inviting us to reimagine how we relate to places, people, and even faith itself, not as saviors or tourists, but as guests willing to receive and be changed.
Love this! We go to Asheville and surrounding area as much as possible. Still a long way to go especially in Biltmore Village but the Biltmore Estate is open & so are lots of places in the area! So thankful for the recovery taking place & all the places that are up and running again!! Mountain strong!!!!💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Yes still so much clean up in so many places!
Love this.
Your thoughts about mutuality remind me of my favorite Wendell Berry essay, Health is Membership from Art of the Commonplace. And of course, Jayber Crow, which is that essay put to story.
Health is Membership was such a formative piece for me!