Sudden and unexpected loss is always hard to grasp, especially when it’s of a young person. Loss around the holidays season is always a little harder, too. The Fairmont community, then, has recently experienced a triple whammy of sorts and people are reeling, trying to come to terms with the news, asking questions like how? and most certainly, why?

In a small city like Fairmont, where if you didn’t know someone personally, you know someone else who did, it does feel like the whole community is in mourning, but despite the grief many are feeling, I think we’ve also seen a great show of support for those who have had to endure these tragedies.

Whether it’s offering prayers and condolences, your physical presence, a monetary gift or memorial of some sort, there are plenty of ways to show that these people and their lives have touched you in some way.

While the people in Fairmont are often divided on matters of local politics, and negativity and criticism about the community seems to spread, let’s try to remember the commonalities that we have.

During this holiday season, where there is already such an emphasis on giving, supporting local and being together, we are reminded now, especially in light of recent events, just how important community is.

We can try to be more patient with harried retail workers, more forgiving of family members or friends you’ve disagreed with and more gentle in general with everyone you come across because you just never know what they’re going through.

The holidays, while a time of great joy for many, is often a sad time for many, too. We know there are people in our community right now who are feeling the weight of it all so let’s do what we can to alleviate some of it by being good neighbors.