I’m not sure what part of the body I am (it’s a toss-up between mouth and rear end, probably), but I tried for years to live apart from community. All I wanted was to be an independent little pancreas or elbow who could live her life how she wanted, without help or demands from other people. I did not want to need or be needed. When a friend invited me to a moms’ group or a community group or even a book club, I would joke that I’m allergic to community. I’m ashamed to say that my greatest fear was that someone would demand more of me than I was willing to give, emotionally or logistically.
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