community care [is magic, and magic is real]
radical love notes | links, lists, & recommendations <3
Dear ones,
I could probably, at this point, write you a note every week with more stories from the hospital, but I don’t particularly want to tell you about the seven hours we spent in the emergency room on Sunday. Instead I will tell you that in addition to another hospital visit, this week was also filled with writing and reading and music and dancing, a movie (that prompted the theme of the forthcoming Monday essay), a lovely meal with friends, walks, and so much support.
There is such an enormous difference in getting through something awful when you let yourself be open to the possibility of community care. I am a person who likes to suffer in isolation — when I am low or in something heavy, I have trouble answering texts, let alone reaching out for help. Peter, historically, is also not great at asking for help— but we are both pushing through the discomfort to accept the kindness of our comrades and kin, and it already feels like magic. Community care is only real if we both offer to create it and to accept it; I’m trying to remember that.
I’ll keep the note short today, but there are some excellent links/recommendations below.
More soon. xo
love & solidarity,
raechel
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