How we can make a safe space for us and the next generation...




Last night's zoom book launch for Joann and me went even better than expected, and I'm so darn grateful for all of the people who showed up, and for our friend Jaime who did a great job hosting the event! It was fun! I wasn't even nervous! Imagine that. Now, I just have to figure out how to do the in-person party on the 30th at the Coop. 

I was in a warm bubble of good words, great conversations, and lots of accolades last night. Everyone seemed to have a good time, and people were slow to "leave" the zoom-room-- always a good sign. We need community in these dark days. 

It's my hope that such good feeling, such a sense of belonging and togetherness, will help us sustain what is right and important to us. Just taking a quick glance at the news this morning is already starting to deflate that pink bubble. 

To know that all of our norms are shattered, libraries and concerts and all that makes us human are threatened-- even basic things like food, air, and water-- is upsetting, to say the least. What will become of us? I know at the local level, people are gearing up to help one another, but we will all have difficulties to navigate, and getting through that, surviving it, will wear on people's nerves and good nature. So many people have lost the means of surviving: gardens, cooking from scratch, conserving and upcycling resources. Those are all "historical" in so many people's minds. At this juncture, I'm pretty grateful that my parents were devotees of the "back to nature" crowd in a small way in the '70s and '80s; I learned a lot of what will now be survival tricks. I can help others manage, too, but for how long? Is this current dark age that is encroaching a temporary interruption, or is this how it's going to be for a generation or more? How long can we pull ourselves up by our bootstraps?

Locally, there is a group of people forming spontaneously that is dedicated to helping senior citizens navigate the horror show that Social Security will be in just two weeks. Those who have time, treasure, and talent will rise to the occasion. It made me very happy to see that just happen organically in our local FB chat group. There's another group in a neighboring town that is pooling resources to create a community garden project to help ease the cost of groceries for all involved. With the government zeroing out all Meals on Wheels funding, there may be a call to make food for our elderly; that may be something I can help with. I'll keep my eyes out for opportunities to be useful. 

And it has only just begun. These early efforts at creating safety nets makes me have a measure of hope. In the meantime, hold your loved ones close. Make plans and keep them; memories matter. Create a safe space in your heart and home. Don't put off for the future any pleasant things that will make getting through the tough stuff easier. Keep good records of what you know to be true; the next generation will need a map to guide them. Humanity has had to do this before, so we should learn from those lessons.

Take care,

C

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