Thank you.
So many people have reached out to me over the last couple of days, just as I have reached out to many people. Beautiful exchanges have been shared. I’ve heard,
“I just want you to know I’m here.”
“Love you, miss you, please don’t forget to care for yourself as I see you caring for others.”
“Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Protect your brain!”
“When [___] happened, I thought of you.”
“Love you.” (This one, I’ve heard repeatedly.)
Every bit of this has meant so much to me. Threats are not even, and we must remember those most impacted. Most often, that is not me. Yet sorrows and love are carried collectively.
Here’s what has meant so much to me:
First of all, the abundance of community care has been on display so beautifully in many directions over the last few days. I hope this is finding its way to you too. If not, please let this particular post be one tiny piece of it. [3… 2… 1… mmmh!]
Personally, I’ve been in a place of profound gratitude to hear from so many people, and so meaningfully. I’m not necessarily surprised, but I’m definitely touched. I can easily think of a number chapters in my life that stretched out long when I was placed in a caregiving role without the ability to have much of that care flow back. When I was younger… during COVID… (oh so much during COVID)… when I’ve had to be a “professional” and couldn’t easily be considered part the community myself. (By the way, I believe in behaving professionally, i.e. ethically, but with only a few exceptions, I don’t think people are often served best with that kind of distance.)
Anyway, none of that is true in this moment. None of it. It’s just care in all directions, and I have felt it so deeply. Good to be in it with you.
— Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 