To the editor:
“Quarterback Luke Maglione completed 12 passes for 77 yards with a touchdown…” (MWN, Oct. 23: Six games, six wins for Magicians. I can imagine the ‘magic’ feeling of a win, be it a touchdown or a game, even if the realm of sport or competition is well, beyond my gifting. Even so, I am not a foreigner to feeling the magic of a mutual win, to feeling the magic of what we can accomplish together. As I am entering my senior years, I can finally see that whatever it is that we can accomplish on our own is nothing compared to what we can accomplish when we come together.
It is natural for a community to come together for sport. Our work brings us together. Holidays and feasts bring us together. Our community comes together for fundraising efforts (Counseling Center hopes locals come out for swinging for a cause, MWN Oct. 23) of various causes.
I attended the last meeting, Oct. 16, at MHS that brought together Cathy Hoog, Executive Director of MHA and the Salem Housing Authority, the folks at WinnDevelopment (architects & designers), and 7 residents of family housing, to discuss the redevelopment of Broughton Road.
Let me encourage residents not only to show up for these meetings but to let their voices be heard. Some have chosen to be quiet, afraid of speaking, and I understand why, but let me encourage you to trust in something more than fear.
Kudos to the town for the new survey looking at the wellness of the community and its efforts to make it better, together. Just because we are afraid does not mean fear has to win. We are not here to see who might get to the finish line first. There is a ‘magic’ that will never fail to mesmerize, and its promises are true, and each one of us can participate. We can sit on the sidelines—be mere spectators, or we can participate, and do our part, however small.
Thank you to Cathy Hoog and those architects who are beginning the difficult conversations. If we can commit to listening to one another, to understand, we will find common, human ground to walk on, and the fear, though its devilish grip is tight, can be overcome. May we never confuse a game with life: in life, we only win if we help others win.
Brendalee Baughman
Marblehead Resident
