Thank you for providing a sliver of hope during these dark times when we are assaulted daily with ignorance, insensitivity, and cruelty. Caring feels elemental and within reach, and that gives me hope.
Thank you for your wise words. Something else we can do here in Maine is call and write our legislators in support of the Make Polluters Pay Act that will create a fund to pay for climate caused damages such as the terrible storms that damaged our waterfront last winter.
As always, with each honest and empowering essay: thank you, Kathleen. It’s vital to acknowledge the emotional experience of what’s transpiring, and too to continue to act. One foot in front of the other: acts of care. For this earth, for one another. I adore the way you truly show up and it keeps me showing up, too. Love from Boston
Step one: Get a big piece of card board, paint it a light color using latex paint from your garage. Step two: grab a magic marker and write write your succinct message. Step 3: Reach out to Amy MacDonald (amym781@gmail.com) and find a protest near you. Then the most important last step: show up with your sign. Without massive collective ACTION we are screwed.
Of course, Kathleen, two things can be true at the same time, including existential crises. We must address them both, equally as sinister and fully intertwined. The destruction of our planet is the destruction of our humanity, the "dagger" now being plunged from both sides. We need to keep up the good work: organizing, flooding the phones, marching, rallying. I do not look to any ostensible "leaders". My faith lies in the green shoots of our boots on the ground. All our welcome to our growing rallies in Kennebunk, Thursdays at 4 PM, more people every week. Also, 4 PM Fridays the rallies are GROWING exponentially, right in front of Susan Collins office in Biddeford. People from other counties and towns are showing up to both. Our voices must be heard!
Your stories are both compelling and pointed, a pleasure to read! Our "carings" must surely be compatible, with none depending on undercutting the others. Family, friends, community, democracy and the natural world are just that. Each benefits from the strengths of the others. (The five Olympic rings?) I think we will have to examine the structure of our economy itself as an alienating force which interferes with each of those 'carings'. I know the appropriate word is anathema in our political discourse, and I don't know of a substitute term that would allow us the open space to actually discuss it, but (democratic) socialism, it seems to me, will have to be a/the major component when we "build back better". Maybe the Dems should join the Working Families Party? At any rate, care, share, repair each of the "foundational five": family, friends, community, democracy, the natural world! Thanks, Kathleen, solidarity!
Thank you for providing a sliver of hope during these dark times when we are assaulted daily with ignorance, insensitivity, and cruelty. Caring feels elemental and within reach, and that gives me hope.
Thank you for your wise words. Something else we can do here in Maine is call and write our legislators in support of the Make Polluters Pay Act that will create a fund to pay for climate caused damages such as the terrible storms that damaged our waterfront last winter.
yes yes!! This is a great action to take.
As always, with each honest and empowering essay: thank you, Kathleen. It’s vital to acknowledge the emotional experience of what’s transpiring, and too to continue to act. One foot in front of the other: acts of care. For this earth, for one another. I adore the way you truly show up and it keeps me showing up, too. Love from Boston
Thank you, Kathleen!
I am rethinking my post-Helene home. I’m in a camper now, and considering that if I add more solar and wildflowers, it may be more than enough.🌱
Thank you for words that are calming.
Thank you so very much. It was perfect.
Step one: Get a big piece of card board, paint it a light color using latex paint from your garage. Step two: grab a magic marker and write write your succinct message. Step 3: Reach out to Amy MacDonald (amym781@gmail.com) and find a protest near you. Then the most important last step: show up with your sign. Without massive collective ACTION we are screwed.
That too!! That too!!
Of course, Kathleen, two things can be true at the same time, including existential crises. We must address them both, equally as sinister and fully intertwined. The destruction of our planet is the destruction of our humanity, the "dagger" now being plunged from both sides. We need to keep up the good work: organizing, flooding the phones, marching, rallying. I do not look to any ostensible "leaders". My faith lies in the green shoots of our boots on the ground. All our welcome to our growing rallies in Kennebunk, Thursdays at 4 PM, more people every week. Also, 4 PM Fridays the rallies are GROWING exponentially, right in front of Susan Collins office in Biddeford. People from other counties and towns are showing up to both. Our voices must be heard!
I am just now reading your piece, Kathleen, and identify fully with the young girl weeping. The attacks on our democracy are coming fast and furious.
Your stories are both compelling and pointed, a pleasure to read! Our "carings" must surely be compatible, with none depending on undercutting the others. Family, friends, community, democracy and the natural world are just that. Each benefits from the strengths of the others. (The five Olympic rings?) I think we will have to examine the structure of our economy itself as an alienating force which interferes with each of those 'carings'. I know the appropriate word is anathema in our political discourse, and I don't know of a substitute term that would allow us the open space to actually discuss it, but (democratic) socialism, it seems to me, will have to be a/the major component when we "build back better". Maybe the Dems should join the Working Families Party? At any rate, care, share, repair each of the "foundational five": family, friends, community, democracy, the natural world! Thanks, Kathleen, solidarity!