hope – *the gratitude-a-thon

gratitude-a-thon day 2011: thank you, alabama

December 15, 2017December 15, 2017UncategorizedLeave a Comment

2016_hope-1030x686

Thank you, Alabama.

Thank you from all the chambers of my heart, for making me feel like this year wasn’t an episode of Stranger Things (which if you haven’t watched, you must stop what you’re doing and binge immediately, if not sooner) and putting me back in a state of hope.

Thank you for not allowing a sexual predator (and criminal) to once again become someone who leads the country. Thank you to the black women of Alabama who said “No, we will not allow this to happen.”

Thank you to the continued resisters who refuse to allow the president’s brand of leadership to become normal. There is nothing normal or acceptable here.

Thank you, Doug Jones for being a principled and hard working man for the people. If ever we needed you, it’s right this minute.

Thank you, Alabama. Thank you.

gratitude-a-thon day 890: to know hope: president barack obama

January 17, 2017January 17, 2017UncategorizedLeave a Comment

barack-obama-hope

I remember when Barack Obama was just elected, having the best talk with an African American women in the deodorant aisle of CVS. The two of us, so clearly from different places in the world, were brought together by the excitement he’d inspired in both of us. Although our accidental conversation was just about 15 minutes, I felt connected to this woman when I left the store. I knew part of it was because I could feel the pride she had because a man that was the same color as she was would be sitting in the white house, but part of it was also because his essence and ability to display leadership was infectious and had allowed this conversation to happen in the first place. We’d broken a barrier as a country. It made her stand taller. And me too. It was the loveliest moment.

Those were the days when I felt a deep sense of hopefulness in the leader we’d chosen to guide us. Obama was and is a gifted orator and unifier. His words back then inspired me in the deepest parts of myself. His enthusiasm made me feel empowered. His grace, his inclusivity, his reasonable rationality made me feel as though I were being safely held. I didn’t feel any sense of divide back then. In fact, I felt like I was an important part of one big melting pot.

I’m so grateful to know what that kind of hope feels like. Obama spoke to my need to have a moral leader at the helm, a man who acted with humanity and integrity for all eight years of his time in the Oval. No ugly. No scandals.

Those first years of the Obama presidency made me heady with hope. Those were good days. I will always remember them. And I will continue to look toward that president and what he taught me about having a moral center, about bringing everybody into the tent, about the importance of being a good person.

gratitude-a-thon day 982: looking for hope

January 6, 2017January 6, 2017UncategorizedLeave a Comment

By now I had half hoped that the guy who won the Oval, whose name it’s really hard for me to say or write on account of how awful of a human being I believe him to be, would have done something that I could interpret as unifying.

He hasn’t. In fact, he is, on the daily, making me feel less and less hopeful (and I started out with no hope whatsoever, so I’m nosediving into the middle of the earth at this point).

But here are some hopeful things to focus on, instead of the dreadfulness that keeps getting tweeted by our totally irresponsible, childish P.E., who will soon be our P. (pee is more like it).

Ann Lamott, one of my most trusted advisers and beloved authors and all-around lovely humans shared something her son wrote and it is so brave and so important and so I wanted to also share it. It’s called How I managed not to kill myself yesterday. Bravo, Sam. You are courageous and smart and loving like your momma.

howimanagednot-02

The Golden Globes are on this Sunday, and you know who will be watching carefully so I can write my best and worst post on Monday. Woot, woot.

Dan Rather is now the father of Facebook. I’m in.

Homeland starts this Sunday (oh, but I will be watching The Globes, first world problems). Cannot wait to see what kind of shenanigans Carrie is going to get into this season.

I worked out (sort of) for the first time in a month (due to this ongoing virus/sinus infection/CRUD). Let’s hear it for my non-existent abs.

The days are getting longer! The light is coming!

You don’t have to go to, or watch the inauguration. Nobody is going to force you to. You have a choice!

Boston’s channel 7 has succeeded from the Peacock so that you can see Family Feud at 8, nightly. (Just seeing if you’re paying attention, of course I hate The Feud).

Kim Burrell lost her radio show after her homophobic rant (some people actually get scolded for non-inclusive behavior, not our President-Elect, but some people). Pharrell Williams comment is worth a read. Screen Shot 2017-01-06 at 7.14.19 AM.png

gratitude-a-thon day 814:the littlest things

February 16, 2016UncategorizedLeave a Comment

crack light on floor

A sliver of relief. A drop of sunlight on an otherwise gloomy day. A radiator that works, while the temperatures are freezing your saliva. A sip of coffee that’s the perfect color. A song that hits just the right note. A virtual visit from a friend. A funny valentine. Flowers, soup, cookies. A text. A hundred texts. A dog hug. A thermometer that reads 50. Glory fucking hallelujah. Holy gratitude, Batman, hope.