2020 has been humbling in many ways. I can’t say that Meghan Markle usually makes me think. But, humbled again. I read his NYT article, titled, The Losses We Share and cried. Why?
“Loss and pain plagued each of us in 2020, in moments both fraught and debilitating.”
He ends with
“Are we okay?
we will be.”
At a recent family dinner I was reminded again, that this is OK.
- Our business is down 90%. And we’re okay.
- One of the eaters was born with an umbilical cord around their neck, 3 times, they got a 1 on their first Apgar. (I was there, they just came out of my body.) They’re OK.
- Another of those children was hospitalized with meningitis at 6 weeks. They are OK.
- Another one of those kids was born with crack in their system and remembers the mac and cheese they were given by the police when they were 4 and removed from a motel room where they went without food for days . They are OK.
I have no idea what the future holds. Never really has. Life changes. There always is. Sometimes it’s fun. Sometimes it’s heartbreaking.
If I can handle treating everyone in my life, starting with me, with honesty and kindness, I’ll be OK. Sometimes that’s easier to do than others. Now, I’m fine. If I’m not going “OMG, how did this happen!? How are we going to support ourselves?! Why is that customer so mad at me for something he did?!” I’m even excited about the unknown/different-than-imagined, future.
To all of you, are you all right? How do you treat yourself with tender care in the moment—even when there are children or other family members screaming. Everyone is struggling these days. all. Take care of yourself, then the children, then whoever else you want! Feeling lonely? Reach, get out, walk, run, stretch, in SF? Stop by the store, we’re a small business, we care and we can all use reminders that it’s OK. Because this is.
