Giddy Planner Alert
I do work for communities all over the country, but the work that means the most to me is when I get the chance to make a difference where I live. This week, I rolled up my sleeves and begin working with a DC community, as we kicked off a planning process for a project that's intriguing on a number of levels. Even though I'm far away in the news photo above, you can easily see that I have a big 'ol grin on my face, due largely to the totally delightful group that I was facilitating. Getting to know communities and helping them forge plans that best capture their vision is what I do best, and having the opportunity to do that in my new city makes my heart smile. (Nerdy community planner group hug!)
Rescued Baby Bats
I feel terrible for the flooding that's ravaging Australia, but how do I feel upon discovering the extreme cuteness that is rescued baby bats wrapped in blankets? Fantastic!
Healing after Tucson
The president, telling the crowd that Gabby Giffords had just opened her eyes. The crowd, cheering on the brave men and women who helped at the scene. The message, about how words matter, and about why love is stronger than hate. The good people we lost last weekend. The little girl inspired by democracy, with her entire life ahead of her. "She saw all this through the eyes of a child, undimmed by the cynicism, vitriol that we adults all too often just take for granted. I want to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as Christina imagined it." All this, on my mind all week long.
I tear up every time I hear the "I want our democracy to be as good as Christina imagined it" sound-bite.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, the bats? Are the cutest.
Thank you for mentioning the memorial service that the Obamas attended this week. It's sometimes easy to become sheltered at times like this, and it helps to know the rest of the country is grieving with us.
ReplyDeleteYour friend in Tucson,
Melissa
I saw a trailer for a movie about a rescue organization in Africa (I think??) - anyways, they rescue orphaned baby animals, and raise them to release into the wild as adults.... if you think the baby bats are cute, you should have seen the baby monkeys and elephants. Seriously - the cutest ever.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
I am officially incapable of reading, watching or listening to anything about Christina-Taylor Green without tearing up. I just...don't even have the words.
ReplyDeleteI echo Melissa when I say Thank You. This has been a hard week for our community in Tucson, and the speech President Obama gave brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteKnowing that so many are out there thinking and praying for those that were lost and wounded has helped.
Another friend in Tucson,
Suzie
Agreed, the baby bats are adorable. But don't you get the feeling that if you dropped water on one of them twelve more would rise in its stead?
ReplyDeleteI laughed at the giddy planner group hug comment. I'm not a planner but I work with tons of them. I am the director of business advocacy for the chamber of commerce in eugene oregon and we are in the middle of a urban growth boundary expansion process called "Envision Eugene". It's been going on for 2 years and the group hugs are in abundance. We have these 8 hour community resource group meetings with 70 community members where we talk about our vision, our feelings and are best/worst possible outcomes. Sometimes I can't stand the process but other times I kind of love it!
ReplyDeleteThe baby bats are really adorable! Love the post!
ReplyDeleteThat moment, about halfway through the speech, when he brought Christina up again and kind of had to pause and clear his throat a little? That was when I officially lost it. And then again, when he started talking about how Congresswoman Giffords opened his eyes - how he repeated it like 5 times, like even he couldn't believe how good it was? - yeah, lost it there too.
ReplyDelete