The Miner's Dreams

Frontenac Friends. I'm working on a column about a member of our community, and midway through I became deeply concerned I was combining quotes. They sounded so similar, so I went back over my notes. I wasn't.

Over and over again, when I interview Frontenac Friends, I see the same theme. Amazing people, highly educated and talented. The world at their feet. Yet, they choose Frontenac. They choose home. They give up money and sometimes even a little fame. They give up opportunities so joyfully it's a little shocking.

Why? Because over and over again I have heard the same message: money, ego, and attention, it's not what drives them. They don't want the massive house in Kansas City or need the fancy title.

It's not what is fulfilling to them. It is not their life's dream.

They want to serve their community. They want to make Frontenac better while honoring and remembering its roots. Celebrating who it is. Whether they are first generation or sixth, they feel a love and connection to this town. To its people.

Their goal isn't wealth or fame. It's about connection. It's community building. It's love.

Frontenac Friends, these are the kids you helped raise. The kids you gave Kool-Aid to, or helped fund a scholarship for at Festa. These are the kids all those teachers at Frontenac worked so hard to advocate for and nurture. That the small businesses gave their first jobs.

These people we feature, most of you helped raise or grew up with, and they are amazing, loving, compassionate people. And they are raising such fantastic kids themselves.

So... I need you all to stop for just one moment and look around you. Look at each other.

Our town. Our safe streets. Our dedicated police, fire, and city services. Our loving community.

Our award winning schools and continuing education support. Our beautiful parks, library, and sports facilities.

Look around you, and pat yourself on the back. Think of the generations before us with gratitude for the years of groundwork they laid for us.

We made it. This, this right here, is the dream those miners a hundred years ago had for their great great grandchildren. A town like this. Where our children have real childhoods and grow up to be kind, decent humans above all else. People, wherever they live when they grow up, try to make their little corner of the world a better place.

And yes, we may have to fight for it. Yes, we may have things that still need to be changed or improved. No doubt. But it's important to stop, to see where we are now, and be damn proud of it.

May we forever walk with this kind of spirit. - Keesha