Giving Thanks in 2020

First this Thanksgiving morning, my head is bowed in gratefulness for all the people who voted; who helped make the vote possible, past, present, and who will in the future; for all who were there hours, days, weeks counting ballots; for all who husband the ballot through modern and old infrastructure with herculean safety measures; for all who now stand up for integrity, morality, honesty, and our Constitution to guard our precious right to choose the people who will speak for us; for all who embody that spirit; for all who see the freedoms we have are not largesse to please ourselves or our faction, but responsibilities that make it possible to equally enjoin so we might find ways to live together and thrive--every last one of us.

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So, we are embarking on a very modified holiday season during our COVID times. Here, our beautiful yesterday melded into heavy rain through the night. It is grey and wet. Our campus asked us day-before-yesterday to quarantine ourselves for two weeks if we are with family today (or any day or a medical overnight or ER trip). There is a small outbreak in the independent living Dock Woods section. We're now in just about the same lockdown as before. I will be very careful. 

Much comes to mind to mourn on a grey morning like this. Actually, that is okay. I am human and long years encompass many losses but also innumerable Joys that give unsurpassed worth to have been present for it all.

It's been a very long time since I've had a haircut--February, in fact. I'm contemplating cutting it myself and now even have haircut scissors. Wisps keep floating into my face and the split ends are breaking off all over the place. But the household beckons for attention so I may put off a hair adventure one more time.

This evening immediate family here and I will Zoom with our families out west and southwest. We're sharing some pictures during the session. Keoni, right now, is working on loading the picture contributions for our Zoom visit.

Well, breakfast awaits so I'll wish you the best that Thanksgiving offers and hope you are well and you remain so. We are living through this COVID time together. 

With love for you and a quiet remembrance for all who have passed away these months of 2020.

Thank You, Voters!!! Thank you, Pennsylvania!!!

 Welcome, Joe!!! Welcome, Kamala!!!

We have a President-Elect!!! We have a Vice President-Elect!!!

Above is from one of Keoni's friends down in Philly right now.

Thank you, Philadelphia.

Thank you, all the counters. 

Thank you, Aidan, your music helped my patience this morning.

Thank you, voters, who make a Good Trouble so we can do the hard work that lies ahead.

God bless you.

God bless America.

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting: Counting, Counting, Counting

 

Aidan used the quiet church to record a couple pieces for auditioning. There was plenty of room to "distance" so I got to chill with a couple of renditions he played. To any who are anxious during the enormous vote-counting efforts going on four days beyond the election here's a slice of tranquility to saturate consciousness. Please, don't get dizzy from my unintended camera angle...

El Día de los Muertos

Or, All Saint's Day in our own familiar culture. Our family, so many, many families, so very much to remember. 

Twenty-twenty. 

I chose to make an ofrenda, or offering table, to remember Dimetrios' passing this year; to remember another--Kwame--now joined in spirit with him, with others of my loved ones who's images I found, others not found--yet in my mind's eye; to remember those the pandemic has taken; those lost to violence, to wars; to blend the culture that was around me in the Southwest into my present setting; to invite them all into this present day to be loved, cherished, celebrated, remembered.