Community Caring

This is an excerpt from the weekly News-Loveletter. If you would like it sent to your inbox directly (with all the other juicy bits, including a mini joy practice), you can add yourself to my mailing list here.

James and I having lunch together last summer at a food truck in the Whit

Sharing dandelion root hummus with Nancy (see last week’s newsletter/blogpost) proved just as exquisite as I’d hoped. Nancy had baked the best-ever-quiche from her early potatoes, nettles, and dandelion greens. Her nettle pesto proved a welcome addition to the basil pesto quinoa with pine nuts I’d brought, a culinary homage to our autumn visit. Nancy and I center plants whenever we break bread. This happy awareness is a sharing of our communities.

Polishing off marionberry trifle studded with last year’s formerly frozen berries, saturated with homemade raspberry liqueur, Nancy and I reflected on the adventures of our kids and others near and dear. Turns out we’re both blessed to have an elder to spend time with regularly. I leaned back to listen in on tales of Nancy’s joy in meeting up with her 90+ year old neighbor weekly. I resonate with her wish that everyone could experience this. (And I think they can!)

For years, I had wished for an elder veteran to care for in a way that was easy and fun. Then my cat introduced me to James, all that and so much more, only a block away. For the past several years, James has cared for us as we have cared for him, sending magic from his kitchen — fettucine alfredo, chocolate cake, beans Neopolitan. And I’ve run down the the street in my apron with meals for him too, often when he needs it most. James and I also go for walks when he can and eat out at our favorite vegetarian spots in town.

I won’t lie: Death is instructive in our relationship. Hanging out with elders reminds me how important it is to do the things you want to do. I’m happy to be part of a support network that not only make this possible for James but that also enriches my life. Sometimes I need a little nudge to take time off of my beloved work to sit and enjoy a meal with a friend. I cannot tell you how much my relationship with James means to me and to us as a family.

I hope that if you do not currently have a “James” in your life, that you will go out and find one. Hit reply and tell me about your good fortune or ask me for ideas on how to go about the treasure hunt.