It is said every human being craves community, and I think this is so. Nearly two decades ago, when I moved to the country, I met Dennis and Debbie Yushak who own a grocery store in tiny Shushan, N.Y. Yushak’s has become somewhat famous around here for the quality of the meat they sell, people and restaurants come here from far away to buy the meat that Dennis Yushak prepares and sells.

Debbie runs the grocery store. I used to come in every day for food, then moved away to the big farm in West Hebron. I lost touch with Yushak’s, a much loved community center in Shushan and nearby towns. Fate has its own ideas about community. Last night, Maria and I went to the Round House Cafe for pizza and Dennis and Debbie were there with one of their sons.

It was wonderful to see them again, they came into my life when I was just beginning to live in the country, and helped me understand it and love it. I was happy to see them again, and resolved to start going there again, it is close by our new farm. I can’t even say why I haven’t been in, there is a painfully shy part of me, most people don’t see it, but it is there.

This morning, my friend Scott Carrino called and asked a favor, he was a bit overwhelmed and not feeling great. Did I have time before my class to deliver some fresh baked bread from the cafe to Dennis Yushak. Scott is not good at asking for help, I was happy to do it. I used to be famous, I joked, when I went to pick up the bread. So I hear, he laughed.  (All of the meat Scott uses in his food comes from Yushak’s, and the cafe even has signs proclaiming that.) I said sure, I had time.

I drove quickly to the cafe, picked up the bread (I had to pick up a turkey for the cafe in exchange). Debbie and Dennis were just coming to work, and Debbie was seeing her granddaughter Lucy. I met her other son and his wife, and it was kind of a flashback. I was reminded again of what community means, and of how I need to honor it. I am grateful to be back in touch with Yushak’s, you can look for photos from there.

Dennis came to work as I was leaving, we were both happy to see one another. Community is important to the Yushak’s, it is what they are about. I told Scott I am available for regular bread deliveries, I can use the money.