Four Little Words

Instructions on how to make a difference

Dear Friends,

Today is the national shutdown, but in many ways it’s been like any other Friday. I hit snooze more than once and woke up parched as usual. I dropped the kids off at their bus stop, then changed out of my pajamas. I inspected my reflection in the mirror for wrinkles and gray eyebrow hairs. I found both. My friend Wendy came over for coffee on the porch, but the porch was too cold and dusty, so I invited her in.

We talked about our kids and our husbands, our work and our art, the shows we’re watching and books we’re reading. Our conversation kept circling back to what’s happening in our country and what can we do to help.

I’ve been thinking myself in circles lately. Am I doing enough? Am I doing too much? Am I doing right by the world? Am I doing right by my family or by me?

But earlier this week, among all the calls to protest, boycott, and participate in the strike, I stumbled upon four words:

Do what you can.

It isn’t permission to opt out, to pretend everything is okay, to go hide and let someone else take care of the mess. But it isn’t a demand that we ignore the other real work in our lives, reach beyond our means, or lose sight of ourselves in the process. It’s a reminder that there are many ways to take action, to help, to fight, to make a difference.

Do what you can. I hear it in my head like a song on repeat. I nod along to the beat. I will, I will, I will.

xo Christine

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Good Things

• Last week’s sketchbook tour took me out of my comfort zone, but I am glad I did it and I’ll do it again

• Watching Stranger Things with the kids

• And playing D&D a few days later

• Vidiots is a gem, and their popcorn is delish

• Towering trees that umbrella the sky

• Sunday meal prep that keeps my hands busy

• Seared broccoli and potato soup with warm bread

• $30,000 raised in 10 hours for children whose parents have been deported (Thank you for speerheading, Amanda)

• A chambray shirt collar peeking out of a gray chunky sweater

• Practicing perseverance

• Dr. Pepper Tic Tacs

• A sticker sheet drawn by me and designed by Rama, coming soon!

Good Poem

The World is Both Burning & Blooming.
By Karen Salmansohn

You get the bad news
and the sunrise in the same day.
You cry over the headlines,
then you laugh at a baby
wearing a hat shaped like a bear.
This is the dual citizenship
of being alive.
Rage and reverence,
Grief and grace.
You are allowed to feel both.
You are allowed to scream,
& still notice how good the soup is.
You don’t have to choose.
Let it all in.

Good Deed of the Day

Find a new-to-you local business or restaurant to visit and support. They’ll be especially grateful for your patronage after today’s shutdown.