Join us tonight at 5 p.m. PT for a virtual poetry reading hosted by poets Melissa Ferrer Civil & Kay E. Bancroft. Come with your love, your big feelings, and let's stir things up. Free to register with funds raised to Trans Latin@ Coalition and Trans Lifeline.
Hello Reader,
Over the past year I’ve received gestures of love to celebrate, congratulate, acknowledge grief, or just because.
A bouquet from a friend’s garden. Mysterious directions to a surprise bottle of champagne. A buttercream cake on my porch.
A wooden book etched by Randolph MFA director and writer Gary Dop. A pen engraved with my name. A care basket with a blanket, tea and comfort items.
I am a random, inconsistent gift-giver, but I do try to show up for people with love and care. Voice memos, texts, a nudge to make plans.
Teri A. Dillion’s humorous and tender self-published memoir No Pressure, No Diamonds: Mining for Gifts in Illness & Loss, was written with eye-tracking technology in the face of her terminal illness diagnosis of ALS.
She shares “often the most important message was just ‘We see you. We give a damn. And we know it’s important to let you know’ (p.87).”
Sometimes when the going gets tough, we feel clumsy about how to express care. It’s ok to be uncertain, to offer softness even when not knowing exactly the best path.
Sometimes we just need each other to show up without a quick-fix, but a ready heart. To be close to a body that accepts us as we are.
Teri shares how in “waiting for never-ending desires to be actualized […] I often missed the goodness constantly chirping at my own feet […] begging to have me rest, look around, and say, ‘Ahh. For today, this is enough. My life is already enough,’ (p.282).”
Here's a soft invitation to accept your enough-ness, just as you so generously do for others. Surprise yourself or someone you love with a gesture of care, such as your presence, or acceptance of their offering.
Reflection
What are the ways you show care? What are the ways you ask and/or receive care from others?
Resources
My Creative Updates & Offerings
Here's a new Spotify playlist from my "Somatic Sometimes For Writers" offering a couple weekends ago.
Transcendant virtual reading tonight, registration details can be found at my Linktree.
Community & Care
Creative Capital hosted a free workshop on digital marketing for artists. The presenter Robin Cembalest has some great tips on her website.
In Portland, Diana opened REVEAL Healing Arts Studio. I've taken dance classes with Diana for years, and experienced her insightful reiki.
Jacque Fitzgerald, singer-songwriter and musician of echo onda, is co-offering Parts on Parts Universe class with Trinity Capili, that starts March 16. I enjoyed Jacque's recent Substack post, titled fuck breath work, i'm drowning.
In NYC and virtual, Commemorating Long COVID Awareness Day on March 18 at Nonbinarian Bookstore.
Right To Be has lots of ongoing offerings of virtual free bystander intervention training.
Soft Pants for Your Mind
A tender poem, "Why Wake Up Happy," by Quincy Scott Jones. Check out "About this Poem" section for more details.
Notes & Citations
Gary Dop has a fun interactive reading chair on their website.
Dillion, Teri A. No Pressure, No Diamonds: Mining for Gifts in Illness & Loss. Pomegranate Publishing, 2020.
https://knliterary.com/2020/11/20/interview-with-teri-dillion/
Let’s resource! Let’s play! Let’s happen to notice, together.
In peace,
Vanessa Micale
Founder of Poderosa Voz LLC
(she, they, ella)
P.S. You can show your support by sharing this micro-newsletter with a friend, or you can send me a digital tip and treat me to a pastry.
P.P.S. Sharing resources is one of my love languages. Is there a resource related to somatic and creative realms you want to see or you know of? Hit reply and let me know.
