Hard times build community

I'm writing this at 8:45 AM. At 12:00, my longtime feline companion will be euthanized. It's easy for me to get distracted when I'm online seeing the outright hatred and vitriol being hurled around by some loud folks in the Spokane area. I see how things are getting rougher and more dangerous for all of us, individually and as a nation. It's a frightening time, especially for those of us who are disabled, entering our senior years, and living on a fixed income. It feels like there are a lot of increasing dangers coming. But, then a few days ago, I made a post asking for a more affordable way to euthanize my cat, who is 20 years old and who's been with me for 19 of them. I asked for options because I couldn't afford what my vet charges. That's all, just a simple post asking for information. Seven people responded or DM'd me offering to help me pay, and one person was so loving as to pay what was missing in order to pay for a vet to come to my home and do it here. Seven people who don't know me or the story of my cat and me; of all we've been through together and how completely baffled I am at the thought of living without her. Seven people who saw my question and intuiting the pain and sadness behind it stepped up without being asked and filled a need for their neighbor. Seven people who live in a community and who know it. I grew up in Spokane and then I moved to Seattle for 40 years. When I returned I was immediately struck by how often and how easily people went above and beyond for me. On the medical side, in looking for services and aid in food and housing, and in virtually every other way, people in Spokane are far kinder, more gracious, and more eager to help than the folks on the West side of the state. Yes, there is a lot of bigotry and hatred also, but I honor