This may sound strange, but I was at a recent memorial of a really great man whose three daughters and six grandchildren paid tribute to him and all of his accomplishments. This triggered me to start asking people I know — directed to all ages and a question I’m about to ask the readers of this letter to the editor: “What would you like to have your closest family and friends say about you at your memorial service?” Is that strange? Maybe, but maybe we should re-evaluate as we approach another year of our lives.
One of the things I want to have said at my memorial is that I think living in the Oak Park, River Forest, Austin, Forest Park, and neighboring communities has been the greatest place for me to be part of! We are an overwhelming number of people who care for each other — even if some of my friends classify themselves as Republican, I still see them caring in their own specific manner. We have so many nonprofits doing their thing – BUILD, Housing Forward, Beyond Hunger, Imagine OPRF, Beat the Streets, Infant Welfare, Hephzibah, Sarah’s Inn … wow, wow! … and all the many folks connected with each.
At my service, I also want mentioned that I have committed to supporting a local newspaper or “communication connector (CC)” to be a glue for all, which is most important for our overall caring community. Connecting is genuine and fulfilling, and necessary to know what is going on, which allows me to be an even greater part of where I call home.
Keep up your great service, Growing Community Media! My wife Leah and I have committed to giving each month to what I call “CC” for the next four years to keep “CC” going for the benefit of living in the best community ever.
I wholeheartedly ask you to consider a multi-year commitment if you would like a similar value to be said among the many mentioned at your memorial service (which hopefully will be a long time from now).
May 2026 be a year where you enhance the many great things about yourself!
Paul Beckwith
Oak Park
Editor’s note: Paul Beckwith is a member of Growing Community Media’s development committee.