There is a very real privilege in serving a community.

In doing good.

When we bring our hearts to a task, focusing on the best intentions, we improve our lives and the lives of the people we touch.

This, my friends, is a manifestation of love.

But you know that.

What you may not know is that three years ago, when we lost Kent Harfst and this community’s heart was so broken, a handful of people decided one way to honor him was to commission a sculpture in his memory.

Of course, I am talking about Arts R Alive and, disclosure, I am a member of that organization. So is Kent’s mother, Kay. With Kay’s knowledge and input, the rest of us stepped toward what we considered a noble goal: We would find the perfect place, hire an artist who would embrace our intention, and raise money to make it all happen.

Looking back, it feels as though it was easy.

The artist, Tim Adams, who grew up with Kent, already held his old friend in his heart.

The community, who so missed the man who had done so much to improve this place, stepped forward with their checkbooks open.

Then there is the spectacular location. It overlooks one of the many parks it was Kent’s mission to oversee. High on what we affectionately call Hospital Hill, next to a bike path that wouldn’t exist if it were not for Kent’s initiatives, the sculpture overlooks Brewer Creek Park, itself named for a man whose iron will created this town that would become Webster City and, thus, our home.

As we approach the dedication of the completed sculpture, which is Sunday at 3 p.m. at Brewer Creek Park, it is fitting to say thank you to Arts R Alive for pursuing this task. Thank you, Janet Adams, Deb Jaycox, Mark Dohms, Cheryl Schneider, Elaine Beerman and Sara Trueblood. And thank you, Kay.

Thank you to the City of Webster City, for helping make certain this milestone became a reality.

Thank you, Jeff Habhab and Denny Armentrout, for your work and support.

Thank you, everyone who contributed to this effort.

And thank you to each member of the Harfst family, for sharing your beloved Kent with us for so long.

So here is one more thank you. Thank you, Kent Harfst. It is because of you that I can ride our bike trails and think: There was a man who loved this place this much.

There is a very real privilege in serving a community. I know this now more than ever before.

When we bring our hearts to a task, focusing on the best intentions, we improve our lives and the lives of the people we touch.

This, my friends, is a manifestation of love.

But you’ve already seen that.

Jane Curtis is interim editor of the Daily Freeman-Journal.