I don’t like the Chippewa Valley. I mean that wholeheartedly. I think I’ve always sort of had this feeling, but just recently it hit me in the gut with the strength of an 800-pound gorilla. I don’t like the Chippewa Valley.

I don’t like that this community seems to rally around those most in need. I don’t like how many people are willing to open their homes, their wallets, and their lives up to these people. I don’t like that there are entire organizations that are putting forth valuable time and money to help them. And I certainly don’t like how many individuals sacrifice and give up their personal agendas just to lend a helping hand.

I don’t like how much our schools and teachers rally around the kids. I’ve seen teachers working ridiculously late at my stepson’s school long after the final bell has rung because they seem to want to make some sort of difference. I’ve had school staff responding to my emails while I’m home making dinner, meaning they’re still burning the midnight oil at work. I don’t like that every principal I talk to seems to think their school is amazing and can’t wait to tell me about all the remarkable staff, students, and parents they serve. I don’t like that the program coordinators at the schools can’t help but gush about their initiatives and all their ideas for helping kids.

What I really don’t like is that there seems to be this army of parents around here that can’t help but problem solve. They raise funds for the schools and they create initiatives because they think there is a need. I don’t like that they care so much about not only their own kids but also everyone else’s kids. They offer play dates and caring advice. They are constantly looking for ways to make everyone else’s family better. I don’t like it.

Believe me when I say I didn’t come to this conclusion on my own. I was pushed over the I-don’t-like-this edge by a number of people. For instance, there’s this mother and PTA leader who would not give up on the idea of me writing a story about a crossing guard because she thinks this woman is “the school grandma” and feels like she deserves some big recognition. There was also another woman who helped send me over a cliff when she told me the deeply personal story of how she, along with another mother, started a nonprofit organization because of her son’s struggles with ADHD. I mean seriously, she created an entire organization while working at a full-time job just because she wanted to support other families. I can’t even count the number of times in the past week some parent or school staff member has bombarded me with touching story after touching story of helping some family or of making some difference.

So I’m going to say it again, in all capital letters so it looks like I’m yelling and you know how serious I am: I DON’T LIKE ANY OF THIS! I absolutely love it.

Thanks a whole heap, Chippewa Valley.