COMMUNITY Thu May 6 18:38:07 US/Eastern 1999 Community is an interesting word in our day. When I post anything on a bulletin board like this, I'm told that I'm part of a community. But to me, true community is deeper than an electronic message. Two years ago, I traveled to Sri Lanka with my husband. It was the first time he had been to his country of ethnic origin. There, we met dozens of relatives -- most of whom we had never seen before. But that didn't matter. We were part of the community. They embraced us, invited us into their homes. We danced together, laughed together, ate curry with our fingers together and even participated in sacred religious rituals together. Though everything was foreign to me, there was a special warmth and oneness that was completely familiar. My great aunt always reminds me: "Blood is thicker than water." This experience drove that point home. Even when blood is spread oceans of waters apart, family is still family. Of all the communities I belong to, family is the most important community of all. -- n/a (Lindsey)