Learning, listening, and longing for the lake.
It’s been a while. How are you?
In the days following the tragic murder of George Floyd, I saw my May Flowers project through to the end of the month. Then, I stopped and took some time to listen and learn.
Wow, is there a lot to learn.
Personally, I’ve been examining my own position of privilege. The fact that I’ve been able to live in a bubble, that I could shut out the news or choose to look away from the deep-rooted injustice and racism in our society because those issues, while troubling, didn’t directly affect me.
I’m only beginning to understand how racism is embedded in our policies, our thinking, and our places – from confederate monuments to environmental racism and housing segregation. It’s overwhelming. How do we solve these problems that seem sewn into the fabric of our troubled history? The only answer is to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Be willing to be uncomfortable. To learn. To act.
Becoming anti-racist. It’s a sea change in our personal biases and collective culture that’s long overdue and worth all the growing pains and hard-fought gains along the way.
This year is full of changes, unknowns and challenges. There is a real sense of grief and loss for the life we knew such a short time ago as normal. When it’s too much to process, I weed the garden…
Usually, right about now, I’d be up to my eyeballs in planning food for the big family 4th of July vacation at the cabin. It’s our most cherished tradition on Brad’s side of the family, something that was going on way before my time (although I’ve been part of it for nearly half my life at this point!).
This is the only 4th of July my children know – lots of people in a crowded cabin sharing a single bathroom, our favorite pizza place, a goofy, small town parade, boat rides, swimming, bocce ball, tadpole scooping and deer sightings, the BEST fish fry, and evenings around the campfire, eating s’mores, fighting off mosquitos and watching the fireworks sparkle over the lake.
As with everything else this year, the 4th of July is going to look a bit different. We couldn’t see a way to share space safely with everyone at the cabin, so we made alternative plans – social distance camping with our neighbors. It’s one of many favorite things we’ll miss this year.
Feeling nostalgic, so here are couple photos from last year’s celebration…
I struggled with the theme of the June playlist. It could have been LOVE – Brad and I celebrated our 20th Anniversary on June 10th. It could have been SUMMER; there are so many songs that express the season’s freedom, sunshine and spirit of adventure but that didn’t feel quite right for THIS summer. I settled on the idea of CHANGE.
CHANGE IS HARD.
Whether it’s embracing the nature of change as the only constant in life, fighting for the change we wish to see in the world, or grieving personal loss during an unprecedented time of uncertainty.
Sometimes change is the only thing worth fighting for – human rights, justice, climate change and conservation.
Other times, we have to fight against change to hold on to something of value and meaning – a relationship, a tradition, a family.
And then there are the times when everything is beyond our control and we either let the change wash over us and learn to float or we face a lifetime of struggle against the current.
I guess part of the journey is figuring out when to fight and when to float.
Change (11: June 2020)
Rising up, rolling on, letting go, taking a stand. Change is part of life. Here’s a soundtrack to celebrate and explore revolution, renewal and new experiences. Click to listen on Spotify.
Changes | David Bowie
Revolution | Van William (feat. First Aid Kit)
What’s Going On | Marvin Gaye
Let Go | Frou Frou
Talkin’ Bout a Revolution | Tracy Chapman
Changes | Langhorne Slim, The Law
The Times They Are A-Changin’ | Bob Dylan
Pushin’ Against a Stone | Valerie June
Let Go Of Your Plans | Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real
A Change Is Gonna Come | Sam Cooke
Revolution | The Beatles
Rollin’ With the Flow | Charlie Rich
Coming Around Again| Session Americana, Ry Cavanaugh
We Can Work It Out | Stevie Wonder
People Have the Power | Patti Smith
I Can See Clearly Now | Johnny Nash
Thoughts?