Here’s a news flash for you, not everyone in Pittsburgh is a Steelers fan. Yet
often it seems like the entire city is singularly focused on football and only
football given the collective madness that descends upon our city during
football season.
I’ve lived in various neighborhoods inside and around Pittsburgh for all but
three years of my life and up until 2020 I was firmly in the “not a fan” camp. I
was vocally anti- pro football dismissing it as a waste of time and resources.
Looking back now my conversion journey started back when my son Caleb
was about 9 years old and it became apparent that he had a singular passion
for this particular sport. I wanted to be able to converse with him when he
joined the team in middle school so I started actually paying attention to what
he was telling me. And I asked very basic questions hoping to understand
what he was so excited about.
When spring 2020 brought us coronavirus and things got weird I began to
fully understand how crucial community is for a complete and flourishing life.
Lucky for me serendipity brought me into contact with Rachel Carson
EcoVillage. I wasn’t aware of co-housing until I noticed a flier about an
upcoming information session for this forming community at a nearby farm
market.
Around the same time that I discovered RCE and my perspective on the value
of community changed I was able to acknowledge the value in sharing the
passion for the Steelers with my entire hometown.
It’s been fun to be the new kid on the block, to gather with others to watch the
games, and to identify as a member of the Steeler nation. Don’t be surprised if
you run into me at Goodwill because I’m still building my Steelers wardrobe.
- – Kristi Karsh, Founding Member RCE