In Memorium

January 11, 2021

Seattle, WA

I believe that decency has died this week. That any notion we might have maintained of being a nation who really wishes to receive the tired and poor and the huddled masses no longer has breath.

The only thing that gives me hope are the people of valor and courage who are standing up against injustice.

My friend, Amy, was a person of valor and courage. She was a person of deep intelligence and equally deep compassion. Our abiding friendship carried me through storms. She left this life surrounded by love on this day in 2007. It hardly seems possible that 14 years have passed. I like to think that she sent me her Joe to stand in the places where a brother ought to stand; to say "I am proud of you." I like to think that she is glad about my new call. I lie to think, no, I know for sure, that her presence is with us still.

I am lucky....ever so lucky....to know more

women like Amy....and on this day I intend to give thanks for each one. Maybe you are one of them. I hope I can do justice with my gratitude for them.

Here's a poem for this day that reminds me of those women:

i want to apologize by rupi kaur

i want to apologize to all the women i have called beautiful before i’ve called them intelligent or brave i am sorry i made it sound as though something as simple as what you’re born with is all you have to be proud of when you have broken mountains with your wit from now on i will say things like you are resilient, or you are extraordinary not because i don’t think you’re beautiful but because i need you to know you are more than that.