giving, reimagined

maslow's hierarchy of needs, pyramid-shaped like our traditional christmas trees, comes to mind this year.  no one, or at least very few, can function well in the rest of their lives without having had a good meal and a sound rest with a roof over their heads.

this year finds so many more of us in precarious situations.  

when it comes to giving, my heart wants to give first to people and places that are on the front lines, have lost loved ones or homes, or who need the hope that comes with some warm food and basic shelter.  (being fortunate enough to have my loved ones around me and basic needs met, i nonetheless have ridden the unemployment rollercoaster and been given invitations to appreciate that, through no fault of my own, one of those people could be me.)

my next instinct is to support our local:  businesses & non-profits, state parks, and farmers.  they count on our support during a normal year, so they need us more than ever this december.

allow me to thank first of all the people and then the businesses and products that have helped me to thrive this year.  knowing life is never just about us, i hope this will create a ripple effect outward that pays it forward to many.  wellness is so much more than physical, so thank you for the boosts emotionally, socially, mentally, and spiritually as well.

essential:  family, friends who have become family, dear neighbors, and community.  my ancestors who lived through the unimaginable and instilled this tough & tender-heart with dna for survival & kindness.  for the current texts, phone visits, emails, video chats, baked goods, packages, letters & postcards, magazines, outdoor meetups, gift bags at the door, and zoom calls that keep us connected.  to those who purchased art for charity designating Salvation Army and Oregon Food Bank.  

i am especially grateful for:  the porch on School Street that is better than church, Fruitland Acres,  Little Lavender Farm, Door of Hope Church SE, the Chehalem Cultural Center, US postal service, my masseuse, New Seasons market, my hairdresser, Blue Plume Studio at Restoration Ranch, the guys at Pollinate, Vitality Bowls, Providence medical, my spiritual director, Chelsea at Herbs in Jars, the gals at Pulp & Circumstance, plants from Uflora and Through the Trees, Dundee/Tualatin Valley Firefighters, Chapters books, Wilco for all things chickens, Barnes & Noble, Symposium Coffee, Red Hills Market, Tualatin Wildlife Refuge, the labyrinth at North Valley Friends, and the anonymous gift that enable me to purchase my kayak. 

i should probably buy stock in the following:  yogi tea, dr. teal's epsom salts, and floral shops

craziest meet-up:  meeting a dear friend last-minute outside with masks on in the rain under the eaves at the local swimming pool while her daughter attended a late-night swim practice

i actually:  started composting more efficiently, was more careful about recycling (except all those bags of sparkling water cans!) learned to chop wood, bought so many houseplants (great conversationalists) , made my own kombucha, grew a lemon, harvested the garden, and cooked almost every meal at home for 12 months

for teaching me, feeding my curiosity and sense of adventure, and restoring faith in humanity:  shows "Down to Earth with Zac Efron" and "The Kindness Diaries" (both on Netflix) as well as authors Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer (best webinar ever!) and Matthew Fox for sharing Julian of Norwich's wisdom from her life (during several waves of the bubonic plague) and writings on how to steer a course by neither denying nor dwelling on hard times.  Author Ben Schott for writing "Jeeves and the King of Clubs" which made me laugh almost as hard as my dear Scottish friend does.

wherever you are reading from, what are your thoughts on supporting basic needs and local businesses?  what have you done to go out of your way to connect with loved ones?  what people, products, and resources have you most relied on lately that you would recommend?