Gratitude indeed binds us together. It does something equally powerful; it energizes, calms, and puts crisis issues into perspective. During a time when caretaking and watching the slow dying and increasing neediness of a loved one, I joined the informal November Gratitude Month and posted something I was grateful for at the end of each day. By Day 10, my entire perspective had changed and lightness and energy had replaced depression and exhaustion.
I was feeling a bit sad on No Kings Day because I was involved in a critical extended family event that directly conflicted with the time, but it was in the DC area. As we were shuttled to the event, the bus suddenly erupted in cheers clapping and fist-bumps. I looked to see what the issue was and found the entire block lined 10 deep with a living example of DEI, everybody holding up homemade signs as cars riding by honked and cheered. Extreme gratitude, which grew as I checked my social media feed to find that back in my very conservative Capitol City, a young friend had done a 360 of all the protesters on the statehouse grounds.
Friends living within the city boundary (I don't) have stopped the repeal of the Ban on Conversion Therapy by the City Council twice. The Council is trying again tonite, and determined citizens are ready. More gratitude.
Gratitude comes in all kinds of forms and places, and I love that we're celebrating it with folks with whom we previously might have sworn we had nothing in common. As for me, I'm VERY grateful for Garrett, who keeps offering us more glue to bind us together in a community with a critical purpose.
I don't think I would have noticed the power of community in my life, to keep me afloat in these difficult times, if not for you and this newsletter. I am grateful that you have made me notice, inspired me to share the value of community, and are a vision of how to resist (and still have a life).
Our protest conflicted with a celebration of life, so I did my best - showed up for what of the protest I could, gave a sign to someone who could use it and value it, and showed up for the community of friends mourning the loss of a truly wonderful person. Life is complicated, people are complicated, we are all doing our best.
Michelle this is immensely kind. I will hold you and your community in the light (as we all know mourning and celebrating and noticing a loss doesn't just end when the event does).
The official crowd estimate for my local protest was 3,000, which is something for a city with a population of 75,000 with enormous protests going on just miles away in Oakland & San Francisco. There was much more of a police presence at this one than at Hands Off, but I got the sense that it was for the safety of the crowd rather than as a show of intimidation, and may have been stepped up a bit considering what had just happened in Minnesota. (There were more barriers in place.) A statement was read affirming that the local police department does not support ICE.
Among the speakers were a couple of high school students, including one who is trans, and it's great to celebrate the next generation of leaders, especially when they are as eloquent and forceful as these kids were.
Then I read that it's been exactly 10 years since Trump announced he was running for president, and... I'm no youngster, but that's a pretty significant chunk of my life having to think about this guy every single day!! It makes me feel like crawling into a cave, but I am sure I will be out there waving my sign at the next protest.
Garrett don't apologize for not doing enough. To paraphrase some old lyrics "being there" and every little thing you do is magic" is good enough. Your thanks are heartfelt and your energy boundless. I went to a jam band festival this weekend, tickets we bought way before the Trump inauguration. 1000 of my neighbors we outside the gates of the venue doing their June 14 thing. We felt guilty because we are usually the ones with the signs. However once on the grounds it became apparent that we were surrounded by 23000 like minded souls who were carrying the flags of peace, DEI, fellowship and resolve to fight the power. Every band on stage made a comment in there own way on saving the union. Thousands of Dead Heads, freaks, and just plain folks carrying the torch to save America thru music. It was awesome. and we sang and danced for 48 hours reminding ourselves about the glory of living in a free nation just like those hippie days. We were thankful (even in the pouring rain ....holy Woodstock) What you do is important to those of us who read. That's a gift for us all. See my post we are on the same page.
My adult children took me to a Seattle Mariners game on Sunday. In the second inning, a grand slam gave almost all 41,000 of us a jolt of joy. But the thing that struck me was when so many of us walked together out to the light rail after the game, no one pushed. When the train arrived and we boarded and it couldn't start and the air wasn't working and we had to all get off, I didn't hear anyone swear, declare it was a conspiracy, or bemoan their wasted tax dollars. When the next train finally came, I saw people who got their seats prior to our station stand up to let older people sit. It wasn't a love fest but I saw a lot of courtesy and acts of kindness. Also a joy to behold.
You know what's incredible-- in March (right at the beginning of the M's series) my family was taking a light rail from downtown to the airport right as a night Mariners game got out. The crowd definitely had a few drinks, so we kind of braced ourselves for the scene getting aggro, but in that moment too the vibes were so lovely and warm. Also, I went to an MLB game (Brewers) with my kids on Sunday too!
Garrett, I love reading your posts because they are so very caring, and through the eyes of an average American citizen and family man, and truly loving of the strength and importance of community working and rising together! I always feel inspired and sometimes moved to tears!
Garrett, I want to take a moment to thank YOU. It was such great luck when I found you on Substack. You had posted an article entitled, "Thirty lonely but beautiful actions you can take right now . . . " The word "lonely" caught my attention. And boy was I feeling lonely post-election day. But your post ignited in me a desire to do some community-building of my own. It is a work in progress that is barely inching along. But it will happen. I'll get there. And as I work my way through, the lonely feeling is passing. The strength and resolve is taking its place. And joy, too.
For NO KINGS in Milwaukee, I was on the committee that planned the event, as a volunteer from a local organization.
This is what I learned EACH PERSON MUST bring to such gatherings. A Hat, 2 or more bottles of water - one to share - Sunscreen, Bubbles, and possibly a small chair? (but walking in the parade with it?) And a snack if needed.
Jill and I set up the first-aid tent, and brought water. And I walked around offering sun screen to folks. I wrote up everything that was needed for next time. And put my feet up.
Gratitude indeed binds us together. It does something equally powerful; it energizes, calms, and puts crisis issues into perspective. During a time when caretaking and watching the slow dying and increasing neediness of a loved one, I joined the informal November Gratitude Month and posted something I was grateful for at the end of each day. By Day 10, my entire perspective had changed and lightness and energy had replaced depression and exhaustion.
I was feeling a bit sad on No Kings Day because I was involved in a critical extended family event that directly conflicted with the time, but it was in the DC area. As we were shuttled to the event, the bus suddenly erupted in cheers clapping and fist-bumps. I looked to see what the issue was and found the entire block lined 10 deep with a living example of DEI, everybody holding up homemade signs as cars riding by honked and cheered. Extreme gratitude, which grew as I checked my social media feed to find that back in my very conservative Capitol City, a young friend had done a 360 of all the protesters on the statehouse grounds.
Friends living within the city boundary (I don't) have stopped the repeal of the Ban on Conversion Therapy by the City Council twice. The Council is trying again tonite, and determined citizens are ready. More gratitude.
Gratitude comes in all kinds of forms and places, and I love that we're celebrating it with folks with whom we previously might have sworn we had nothing in common. As for me, I'm VERY grateful for Garrett, who keeps offering us more glue to bind us together in a community with a critical purpose.
I'm so grateful both for you, Gail, and all the signs of hope and energy that you've pulled out here.
I don't think I would have noticed the power of community in my life, to keep me afloat in these difficult times, if not for you and this newsletter. I am grateful that you have made me notice, inspired me to share the value of community, and are a vision of how to resist (and still have a life).
Our protest conflicted with a celebration of life, so I did my best - showed up for what of the protest I could, gave a sign to someone who could use it and value it, and showed up for the community of friends mourning the loss of a truly wonderful person. Life is complicated, people are complicated, we are all doing our best.
Michelle this is immensely kind. I will hold you and your community in the light (as we all know mourning and celebrating and noticing a loss doesn't just end when the event does).
The official crowd estimate for my local protest was 3,000, which is something for a city with a population of 75,000 with enormous protests going on just miles away in Oakland & San Francisco. There was much more of a police presence at this one than at Hands Off, but I got the sense that it was for the safety of the crowd rather than as a show of intimidation, and may have been stepped up a bit considering what had just happened in Minnesota. (There were more barriers in place.) A statement was read affirming that the local police department does not support ICE.
Among the speakers were a couple of high school students, including one who is trans, and it's great to celebrate the next generation of leaders, especially when they are as eloquent and forceful as these kids were.
Then I read that it's been exactly 10 years since Trump announced he was running for president, and... I'm no youngster, but that's a pretty significant chunk of my life having to think about this guy every single day!! It makes me feel like crawling into a cave, but I am sure I will be out there waving my sign at the next protest.
I'm so grateful for the way your little city next to the big cities showed out, Sue, and I bet that teen speaker was incredible.
In other news: 10 years! Oh jeez. Some day, we'll be on the other side.
I love that your local police department doesn't support ICE. That's fantastic!
Garrett don't apologize for not doing enough. To paraphrase some old lyrics "being there" and every little thing you do is magic" is good enough. Your thanks are heartfelt and your energy boundless. I went to a jam band festival this weekend, tickets we bought way before the Trump inauguration. 1000 of my neighbors we outside the gates of the venue doing their June 14 thing. We felt guilty because we are usually the ones with the signs. However once on the grounds it became apparent that we were surrounded by 23000 like minded souls who were carrying the flags of peace, DEI, fellowship and resolve to fight the power. Every band on stage made a comment in there own way on saving the union. Thousands of Dead Heads, freaks, and just plain folks carrying the torch to save America thru music. It was awesome. and we sang and danced for 48 hours reminding ourselves about the glory of living in a free nation just like those hippie days. We were thankful (even in the pouring rain ....holy Woodstock) What you do is important to those of us who read. That's a gift for us all. See my post we are on the same page.
Man, that sounds like an incredible scene. What a great way to spend the weekend!
My adult children took me to a Seattle Mariners game on Sunday. In the second inning, a grand slam gave almost all 41,000 of us a jolt of joy. But the thing that struck me was when so many of us walked together out to the light rail after the game, no one pushed. When the train arrived and we boarded and it couldn't start and the air wasn't working and we had to all get off, I didn't hear anyone swear, declare it was a conspiracy, or bemoan their wasted tax dollars. When the next train finally came, I saw people who got their seats prior to our station stand up to let older people sit. It wasn't a love fest but I saw a lot of courtesy and acts of kindness. Also a joy to behold.
You know what's incredible-- in March (right at the beginning of the M's series) my family was taking a light rail from downtown to the airport right as a night Mariners game got out. The crowd definitely had a few drinks, so we kind of braced ourselves for the scene getting aggro, but in that moment too the vibes were so lovely and warm. Also, I went to an MLB game (Brewers) with my kids on Sunday too!
Garrett, I love reading your posts because they are so very caring, and through the eyes of an average American citizen and family man, and truly loving of the strength and importance of community working and rising together! I always feel inspired and sometimes moved to tears!
I often send your post to my friends! Thank You!
Thank you Susan!
Garrett, I want to take a moment to thank YOU. It was such great luck when I found you on Substack. You had posted an article entitled, "Thirty lonely but beautiful actions you can take right now . . . " The word "lonely" caught my attention. And boy was I feeling lonely post-election day. But your post ignited in me a desire to do some community-building of my own. It is a work in progress that is barely inching along. But it will happen. I'll get there. And as I work my way through, the lonely feeling is passing. The strength and resolve is taking its place. And joy, too.
For NO KINGS in Milwaukee, I was on the committee that planned the event, as a volunteer from a local organization.
This is what I learned EACH PERSON MUST bring to such gatherings. A Hat, 2 or more bottles of water - one to share - Sunscreen, Bubbles, and possibly a small chair? (but walking in the parade with it?) And a snack if needed.
Jill and I set up the first-aid tent, and brought water. And I walked around offering sun screen to folks. I wrote up everything that was needed for next time. And put my feet up.
50 places were protesting in WISCONSIN!