Just a little (link) love: Listening edition
December 19, 2019
This is my last link love for 2019, I’m giving myself a wee break and starting again January 9th next year!
I really enjoyed this: how Ruth learned to think about problem solving. This kind of memory makes me happy. It also made me ponder: what little things am I modeling for JB that will go on to have real and positive impacts? I strive in a very different way now than I did ten years ago, I’m softer now and less gritty than I was and I worry that ze isn’t going to have the chance to observe that we can overcome tough circumstances. Of course I don’t want zir scarred by early traumas of knowing too much too soon, but how do I demonstrate that quality and encourage zir to keep at things persistently?
I love Eve Ewing’s Ironheart series and her thread on breads. It’s a special kind of torture but also I love it.
Financial Independence Let Me Walk Away From Harassment at Work. This brings back some harsh memories of when my boss was the person making my work life impossible and how much I still hope he reaps what he sowed.
Honoring lost loved ones around the holidays. I lost Mom too close to Thanksgiving to ever want to celebrate it again and out of respecting that feeling sprang a new tradition that I hold dear.
Unfortunately we had reason to draw on this wisdom on writing condolence cards recently.
May I be able to listen to what my child is telling me like this
Willow’s energy!!!! pic.twitter.com/iK35m7ujrv
— give em hell, give em pressure (@KiaSpeaks) December 13, 2019
My mother died the day before Thanksgiving, and it doesn’t matter what the date was (I’d have to look it up), because what it’s tied to is Thanksgiving. That used to be my favorite holiday, and now it’s not. I don’t hate or avoid it, but it’s definitely bittersweet. Someday I’d like to start a tradition of a small Friendsgiving. I think a big part of why I haven’t rebuilt my love for the holiday is that the event is not under my control; what we do is managed by other people who are not open to variation.
I think that’s exactly why I have rebuilt my love for, not the holiday itself which is super problematic, but for the occasion, is because we took it and made it our own. If we were nearer to each other, you’d be so welcome to join ours!
Poor health is just a different kind of poverty and JB has the chance to watch your gritty struggle every week. Ze sees you stuck on the couch, hobbling around during a pain flare, giving up favorite treats, exhausted after an excursion with them – but still chugging doggedly along doing your job, taking care of their needs, and sacrificing yourself to give them a good life even when it costs you. Your tenacious grit is still on display!
That’s actually a good point, I hope ze sees it that way!