Your essay on ritual is so lovely and comforting. I love your library/bakery ritual with your son! I had a similar weekly ritual with my own now-grown kids. I think those sorts of rituals make kids feel safe in how they offer comfort and predictability and community. But we all need these rituals, as you evoke so beautifully. 💕
Yes, one person alone feels powerless, especially in a world where it may often seem like money and connections are the things that matter. Sometimes all it takes is the words of "one tired person" to advocate for honesty, courage, truth, and justice. I am sure your voice has an impact.
Cameron—thank you for this powerful reflection. I empathize with the desire to “cry out” and “scream.” Romero happens to be my favorite saint, too, and I have been asking for his and the whole “cloud of witnesses’” intercessions in this time of chaos. Prayers for you and your family as well. Much pax, ~T
Your essay on ritual is so lovely and comforting. I love your library/bakery ritual with your son! I had a similar weekly ritual with my own now-grown kids. I think those sorts of rituals make kids feel safe in how they offer comfort and predictability and community. But we all need these rituals, as you evoke so beautifully. 💕
Oh, I love that! Yes, we definitely need those rituals! They do so much good for the soul. Today is library day, and I'm looking forward to it!
Wednesday was our library day too—for years! 💕
It was my husband’s too when he was growing up! Today we took the bus for extra fun!
The pain most of us are feeling is so eloquently expressed in your post. We
DO feel helpless and drowning in fear. I am so proud of you, my niece, for telling it like it is.
Thank you so much, and I am so sorry! I am right there with you. We're not alone.
I love this quote:
"Is there any hope that I, one not terribly well-connected or powerful person, can actually change anything? In a word, no.
But together we can."
I'm so hopeful about this! And also, that line was originally going to be "one tired and overstimulated person"--also true, ha!
Yes, one person alone feels powerless, especially in a world where it may often seem like money and connections are the things that matter. Sometimes all it takes is the words of "one tired person" to advocate for honesty, courage, truth, and justice. I am sure your voice has an impact.
Do see my first post: One cannot isolate oneself and be silent: https://open.substack.com/pub/thompsonolya/p/silences?r=p8i1i&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Well said, Olya!
Well, thank you! Your "well said" means a lot to me.
Thank you for standing up and being counted.
Thank you for caring about how the changes are impacting everyone within society.
Thank you for using your talents for the greater good.
I have a great respect for St Oscar Romero and it feels to me as if we need to draw on his wisdom to help us through these difficult times.
We certainly do! Thank you for doing these things with me!
Yes, it is important to speak and address wrongdoing. No matter how afraid we may be, we cannot remain silent.
Amen! I am so grateful for everyone who is lifting their voices.
Cameron—thank you for this powerful reflection. I empathize with the desire to “cry out” and “scream.” Romero happens to be my favorite saint, too, and I have been asking for his and the whole “cloud of witnesses’” intercessions in this time of chaos. Prayers for you and your family as well. Much pax, ~T
Thank you so much, Anthony! Goodness, don't we need him now, and so many others who came before us! May God grant us all peace and justice.
May our voices, joined,
become votes for good, justice.
A virtuous vision.
...
May our heads, hands, linked,
be fuel for fairness’ furnace.
A valiant vision.
Amen! Beautiful.