Day 15: A Community Response

So for all the anxiety I felt twisted in my stomach last night as I pushed publish on the blog post about our miscarriage, it has been for not. You all are lovely. Today has been met with all kinds of support sent through messages and notes. If you haven't read my first Journey to 30 entry here, I recommend it. Mostly because I link to Brene Brown and her amazing TED talk about vulnerability and why I've been feeling prompted to share more authentically. Well the past 24 hours has been a testament to her research and the capacity for love and support only growing when we risk the feelings of fear and vulnerability.

I've been wondering how this stage of grief might look different if we had shared the news sooner. If those stretches of time where I felt anxious and isolated because I hadn't even told my mom that we were expecting yet, could have been experienced differently with the surrounding of a community of support.

Growing up in the church I've always experienced the extended family of our church community. It was par for the course to have extra people at our house or at our relatives' for lunches or dinners, especially Thanksgiving. When my grandpa (who was pastoring the church) was diagnosed with cancer it was the church community that wrapped around us in emotional and physical supportive ways- with food, prayers, hugs, more food, notes of encouragement and more. I think a lot of how I learned to be in community began with this experience.

If I think about where I see goodness most present, it would have to be in community. Some of my best days in our neighborhood are when we get to be with our neighbors and share life together. It doesn't have to be for a significant party, just being present in the moment (and lately in great weather) fills a need. As one of the workshops this weekend attested, we have a deep yearning to know and to be known by others. I see glimpses of that filled during good days and during hard times when a community comes together. For all those reading, thanks for being part of mine.