I Love You Boulder
I have struggled to find the words. My heart feels shattered into a million pieces by this weekend’s events here in Boulder, Colorado. I stand in solidarity with my Jewish community. My heart is with the victims of Sunday’s violent attack and with their families and loved ones. I feel empowered to stand in the truth of my Jewish values, to devote myself even more to the work of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), and to provide space for people to gather and attend to grief as a sacred and essential aspect of our shared humanity.
My soul is aching to be a living embodiment of the peace that I wish to see in this world. Sometimes, I can become so caught up in my own righteousness that I forget to remember that what I see in the world around me also lives within me. I believe that I have a responsibility to find the thread of basic goodness that weaves through our human family, even as I allow my anger to illuminate my boundaries. Holding both my compassion and my anger empowers me to show up in devotion to the truth and to the sacred work of protecting our foundational innocence.
And I do feel angry. I feel enraged. I want to be able to be a mother someday who can say to her future children, “You—as Jewish children—are safe.” I cannot do that today.
I lament for the children of this world who will never know basic safety. I lament for those of us who feel we have not been gifted the dignity to grieve. I pray that we can hold the paramount importance of grief as we strive to work together towards a more beautiful future, where all beings can be free.
When we realize the truth of our interrelatedness, we cannot enact harm towards another without also harming ourselves. This is true of our relationship with the Earth. This is true of our relationships with each other.
May we remember this as we heal together and as we continue to tend to the soil of the world our hearts are dreaming into being.
“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”
Resources For Our Community
There will be a community vigil at the Boulder JCC this Wednesday, June 4th at 5pm.
Jewish Family Service is offering free virtual group therapy sessions for people this week.
There are also resources available through the Office for Victims of Crime, and JEWISHColorado has set up the Boulder Security Fund for those of you who feel called and are able to give monetary support.
We will gather in community on June 19th from 5pm to 7pm at our next Boulder Community Grief Circle. More information and registration can be found here.
You are also welcome to reach out to me directly if you need someone to talk to during this time ♡
May you be safe and protected.
May you be peaceful and well.
May you live with ease of heart.
♡
Further Reading ~ A Prayer For Humanity
