community care and carrying
about last night (in a church)
thoughts and questions the morning after hearing two women I admire give away what they've learned
and want better for us all
you know you're loved when (I/they) say, "Get some rest."
ask how your heart is doing
instead of trying to occupy your mind
^^ some things we're asked not to do or consider all that often
things we're told are scarce or bookmarked for a few (the only ones who are fragile)
that prompt, that question
it feels like the light in them wants us to love (on) ourselves
so we know how they see us, hear us, want time and space for us
want us to love ourselves as much as they do
if community care is free (it is)
then why do we choose to keep each other sick?
feeling stuck?
alternatively, and sometimes simultaneously, why do we choose to try to carry it all?
deliver on everything
when we’ve all been bestowed the balms for one another and ourselves
from birth?
if community care is free (it is)
then why do we choose to keep each other sick?
feeling stuck?
alternatively, and sometimes simultaneously, why do we decide to try to carry it all?
deliver on everything
when we've all been bestowed the balms for one another and ourselves
from birth?
[redacted]
the event felt like more information, that takes up the space everything else *gestures wildly* wants to take up.
a reprieve and reminder of the generosity within and around us
in pews, and reflected back in pristine bibles (so many people passing through and choosing to preserve for each other.)
the space was new to me, and already so warm with a community that was taking care of it, themselves and others as best as they can
the acknowledgment of heaviness was so liberating
the head nods
and silent agreements and prayers were so powerful
two writers, two women I'd been so inspired by
were there
in community with each other and caring for each of us
for free
that's the spirit. that's the generosity.
the braids
the pink boots
the joy
the reminders to rest and not an ounce of judgment of us
the reframe to the fun of finding out your unique journey to restoration and resistance.
something regenerative that I found in IG—not a meme to make myself laugh it off this time.
The First Baptist Church in Decatur + a local bookstore.
We Will Rest! The Art of Escape
by Tricia Hersey, Illustrates by George McCalman
they were sold out by the time Mom rushed to get 3 signed copies (👏🏾),
but we took home 3 sets of The Nap Ministry's Rest Deck
it was more than enough
before dinner and bed and sleep
just seeing and surrounded by commitments to ourselves and the strangers in the room
hearing the author read her own words
sitting on a pew for the first time since coming back home
sleeping through the night
one shot & putting the phone down (aside from note taking):
a few notes
morning writing and movement music from teaching this week:
Leon’s after too long….
