Comments on: gotta get up from here

By: “celebrate” and, “don’t let me catch you” « the Change I Wish to See

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:06:53 +0000

[...] asked DC — actually all of the cities we’re from — to get out of the funk we were in. And the City Paper [...]

By: SA

SA — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:58:54 +0000

This is more than a week since you wrote this but I just had to comment. Thank you for writing this. For real. There are a bunch of things I could say but I just wanted you to know it was a joy to read someone still so positive and still, well, smiling despite everything.

You’re always welcome to stop by; a week later, a year, whatever. And thank you. I’m still just amazed at the words people are sharing because of it.

By: Peace Turkey

Peace Turkey — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:02:14 +0000

Wandered over from Fearless in Toronto. And I’m so glad I did.

This was an amazing post to read.

Money (a lack there of, of course) has been a huge burden for me and my partner since around Christmas. And sometimes I feel so overwhelmed by everything we don’t have that we want or need and I know I look just like the frowny subway riders. But then I smile and relax when I see my partner’s face when I get home from work (as I’m lucky enough to still have a job, he isn’t.) And we have each other to hold at night and I realize that makes me lucky – I have someone to hold me when I cry or am scared.

Hugs are a nice solution. Human contact. Touch… Those crazy FreeHug people from YouTube were on to something I think…

Thank you, for stopping by and sharing. Human contact is a brilliant solution. And it’s free.

By: Sian

Sian — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:40:48 +0000

Wonderful post as always. So many of us are having trouble paying attention to the small joys because we are constantly bombarded with the troubles around us. Locally we just marked the 10th anniversary of the Columbine shootings. All media, local and national, swooped down like vultures to pick at the corpse of this tragedy. I only saw one report that had any positivity – an interview with students from that day that have returned to Columbine to teach.

As I returned to my own classroom today, I was overwhelmed with the joy and humor of sixth graders. Then I met my new student, a lovely girl from Mexico with very little English language skills. She was frightened to start in a class of 23 suburban white kids. As my students stepped up and befriended her and helped her muddle through the day, she maintained a smile. Wow, what courage. She is smart and will learn to share her intelligence in her new language quickly. Watching her courage as she delved into a new school in a new country that speaks a language she barely understands made me feel foolish for resenting the burden this new student would place on me for the last nine weeks of school. I may have personal problems to face but I am lucky to be in a position to help a child make an important transition in her life. I am lucky to help HER keep her smile.

By: linkfeedr » Blog Archive » Our Morning Roundup: Growing Plastic Flowers - RSS Indexer (beta)

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:21:28 +0000

[...] a round-trip bike route from his home ‘hood to Nationals Park.The Change I Wish To See finds sadness on the Metro:“Every single face was its own perfect storm: furrowed brow, droopy eyes, frowned lips. [...]

By: Our Morning Roundup: Growing Plastic Flowers - City Desk - Washington City Paper

Our Morning Roundup: Growing Plastic Flowers - City Desk - Washington City Paper — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:31:59 +0000

[...] Change I Wish To See finds sadness on the Metro: “Every single face was its own perfect storm: furrowed brow, droopy eyes, frowned lips. [...]

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 03:07:08 +0000

Word up on your DC Blogs pickup!

By: Cyndy

Cyndy — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:18:37 +0000

I have noticed that when random strangers smile at me on the Metro or on the street I get kind of confused. And then I feel grateful because it does make me feel better – at least SOMEBODY is happy. I’ve been working really hard for the past 4 years to cheer myself up after a devasting house fire. Most of the little we had left is still in storage. I just heard from a friend up in Baltimore who lost his place in a fire two years ago. His wife can’t/won’t move back in after the repairs. It has been tough on their marriage and I can totally relate although I have no idea how to make him feel better about any of that. I have mostly just figured out ways to distract myself from what is really going on. The more I do it, the better I get at it. On the other hand, sadness can be very contagious and that vibe is definitely in the air these days.

By: dshan

dshan — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:33:58 +0000

this is a really gorgeous piece of writing, and i’m glad someone tweeted about it because i’d be loath to have missed it.

the collective sadness exists in chicago too, and i see it everywhere. it’ll release soon, and warm weather will help (both our cities), but man did you nail it right between the eyes.

Thank you. It’s weird, really: the collective sadness. I feel like we’ve let it linger rather than take it head on. Who knows if just talking about it moves us anywhere? But it’s gotta be better than just ignoring it, right?

By: LiLu

LiLu — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:48:27 +0000

I am so, SO glad that we know each other. My life is a little shinier for it.

And that? Is all I have to say about that.

And that? Just made my April. Not my day. My April.