The text you shared from Jamie, about calling Rubio's office, is the nudge I need to get my introverted hates-the-phone ass into gear and start calling my reps. So thank you, especially today but every week, for looking outward and sharing everything that you share with us here.
Keeley I called too. If it's any help there's an app called 5calls. You download and it brings up todays issues and makes the calls and even coaches you on things to say. I think as Katie said, we all do this together. For what it's worth, I'm an introverted hates the phone or social media etc too. But sometimes you have to just speak your piece and let it go.
My goodness, Katie, you banged that one out of the park!! I was in tears (lovely, grateful tears), when I got to the end, and your last paragraph & photo. Beautifully said, "we crossed the finish line together"; beautiful support and friends. You warmed my heart today. Thank you! Robyn
Floundering, scared, distracted, anxious: yes, yes, yes, and yes. Together is how we get through it: also yes.
When I reflect back on my younger self who navigated the aftermath of the 2016 election in a sheer hypervigilant panic that lasted through all of 2017 and 2018 (it only eased, and only somewhat, after the midterms where we clawed back some power), one of the things that so truly stands out to me in comparing it to now -- because now is decidedly worse, and I'm truly not at all handling any of it any better at all -- is that I feel more of a togetherness this time around. Maybe that's something that's shifted in me personally over these years, maybe it's a collective shift, maybe it's both. But this is better (even though this is worse!).
What we're holding, it's all grief. This is grief.
And today, on this anniversary date, I see your grief and I have your back. I'm so grateful to get to know Jamie through you. Thank you for sharing him with us. 🕯️
As always, you amaze and inspire me with your ability to find meaning amongst the noise. Jamie was an unerringly upstanding citizen and I love that he can still provide this kind of spark to and through you. You honor his legacy while establishing your own. Together *is* how we get through this, and today’s issue was a great reminder of that. Nobody has it all figured out, each other is all we have. Love you!
Amazing lesson. My very favorite that you’ve written. So moving and guiding for this dark time. May you find peace and support. Thank you for helping and encouraging us all.
I recently read some essays about parenting in the pandemic and it brought me back to it but also reminded me of how we can get through difficult times especially together. We can adapt to uncertain times, we can.
Yes, well I had a feeling when I saw you in my inbox today that we'd be feeling about the same. Spiraling right there with you and when I think I've landed on the bottom of the dirt pile, I spiral again. As much as I don't watch the TV or read news, you can't help but have it filter in. One thing I will say is that I feel better when I hear people talking about it, rather than deafening silence. I just mentioned to Keeley there's an app called 5calls, it sets your phone up to call your reps et al and even puts forth the issues on hand and will provide you with appropriate verbiage to use. It's a good app. I heard about it from another friend I follow who is an amazing person and has been so present and pastoral for her readers during this time. She'll post a note when something happens that needs the calls and there's that app.... sure saved a lot of time and energy and really helped lower my stress level a lot. Long winded here, back to your post, it was beautiful and lovely despite the matters at hand, you remind us all to be where we are and help each other. We're all we have. So thank you sweet girl for this today.
I just wrote this nice long response, ok, not really long, but you know I ramble. But this app is really helpful for those who want to do something and for whatever their reason, can't. Just know these calls really do matter and right now the only thing we can do to stop them from doing their worst at this point. It does matter. Be that one that does just one thing.
The text you shared from Jamie, about calling Rubio's office, is the nudge I need to get my introverted hates-the-phone ass into gear and start calling my reps. So thank you, especially today but every week, for looking outward and sharing everything that you share with us here.
Keeley why do you always say the perfect thing that makes me cry?! Thank you. That means a lot.
Keeley I called too. If it's any help there's an app called 5calls. You download and it brings up todays issues and makes the calls and even coaches you on things to say. I think as Katie said, we all do this together. For what it's worth, I'm an introverted hates the phone or social media etc too. But sometimes you have to just speak your piece and let it go.
My goodness, Katie, you banged that one out of the park!! I was in tears (lovely, grateful tears), when I got to the end, and your last paragraph & photo. Beautifully said, "we crossed the finish line together"; beautiful support and friends. You warmed my heart today. Thank you! Robyn
That means a lot, Robyn! Thank you!
I’m writing my first screenplay and constantly wishing Jamie could read it, or we could talk about it. Love you SIL
He would be cheering you on so hard! Love you too SIL
Floundering, scared, distracted, anxious: yes, yes, yes, and yes. Together is how we get through it: also yes.
When I reflect back on my younger self who navigated the aftermath of the 2016 election in a sheer hypervigilant panic that lasted through all of 2017 and 2018 (it only eased, and only somewhat, after the midterms where we clawed back some power), one of the things that so truly stands out to me in comparing it to now -- because now is decidedly worse, and I'm truly not at all handling any of it any better at all -- is that I feel more of a togetherness this time around. Maybe that's something that's shifted in me personally over these years, maybe it's a collective shift, maybe it's both. But this is better (even though this is worse!).
What we're holding, it's all grief. This is grief.
And today, on this anniversary date, I see your grief and I have your back. I'm so grateful to get to know Jamie through you. Thank you for sharing him with us. 🕯️
I think you’re handling it better than you know. The fact that we can call it grief — and hold that grief! — is huge.
As always, you amaze and inspire me with your ability to find meaning amongst the noise. Jamie was an unerringly upstanding citizen and I love that he can still provide this kind of spark to and through you. You honor his legacy while establishing your own. Together *is* how we get through this, and today’s issue was a great reminder of that. Nobody has it all figured out, each other is all we have. Love you!
“an unerringly upstanding citizen” — ahh I love this description!!
Amazing lesson. My very favorite that you’ve written. So moving and guiding for this dark time. May you find peace and support. Thank you for helping and encouraging us all.
Thank you for reading, Kim!
Love this, Katie! "We are kind people in an unkind world." Indeed. A poignant reminder.
Thank you and good to hear about ways to cope and contribute.,..
Eight years doesn't make any sense. What an incredibly cool dude Jamie was--I will always count myself lucky to have known him.
I love you. I'm here.
I love you too ❤️❤️❤️
I recently read some essays about parenting in the pandemic and it brought me back to it but also reminded me of how we can get through difficult times especially together. We can adapt to uncertain times, we can.
We can. Even when it feels impossible. ❤️
Yes, well I had a feeling when I saw you in my inbox today that we'd be feeling about the same. Spiraling right there with you and when I think I've landed on the bottom of the dirt pile, I spiral again. As much as I don't watch the TV or read news, you can't help but have it filter in. One thing I will say is that I feel better when I hear people talking about it, rather than deafening silence. I just mentioned to Keeley there's an app called 5calls, it sets your phone up to call your reps et al and even puts forth the issues on hand and will provide you with appropriate verbiage to use. It's a good app. I heard about it from another friend I follow who is an amazing person and has been so present and pastoral for her readers during this time. She'll post a note when something happens that needs the calls and there's that app.... sure saved a lot of time and energy and really helped lower my stress level a lot. Long winded here, back to your post, it was beautiful and lovely despite the matters at hand, you remind us all to be where we are and help each other. We're all we have. So thank you sweet girl for this today.
Thank you for sharing that resource, Lori!!
I just wrote this nice long response, ok, not really long, but you know I ramble. But this app is really helpful for those who want to do something and for whatever their reason, can't. Just know these calls really do matter and right now the only thing we can do to stop them from doing their worst at this point. It does matter. Be that one that does just one thing.
Thank you for this <3