I spent a few hours this morning reading many Facebook statuses. I wanted to get a better sense of who we are and how we navigate through this challenging time. I now realize just how many hands I’ve held and souls I’ve stood alongside. I see so many shared feelings, horrible heartache, devastation, and defeat. But so much more conviction and courage. You see, that’s because WE ARE BRAVE-HEARTED SAVAGES! Who knew?

I haven’t yet, and perhaps never will meet you all in person. But that’s okay. We live in different countries, states, even differing abodes. And that’s okay, too. Because, really, none of that matters. Our location and our home is the heart and the soul dwelling within each of us. What ultimately matters is that we have one another.

This meeting place we call Facebook has helped us to define what matters. We remind one another that when those without an ounce of integrity strike us down in a single sentence- all because of our past, political preferences, and in general, differences- we have the “unfriend” and “block” options. We show one another how to move on and veer away from roadblocks threatening to derail us from our onward journey. You see, we have places to go and changes to effect. Our work is far from finished!

Wherever/whomever we were years ago, and even yesterday, is no longer where/who we are today. We live in a time we never imagined, yet we continue to hammer on. A thousand yesterdays ago, we could never have fathomed we’d have such political strife and a virus encircling the globe as a pandemic. We were taught to fear the masked man in the dark alley; now, we are the ones wearing the masks, safely distancing from our closest friends and family in the dark of night and the light of day.

Come morning, we might mourn lost family and friends from the pandemic and politics, but we’ve gained so much! We have learned that our insight, intuition, and instincts are at the forefront of our survival. We’ve learned that there is so much more joy in giving hope than receiving it. We realized that what we can’t lift alone can be carried amply as a team. We’ve realized that politics and people can be divisive, but that is not who/what we are! Our big, round world will continue to spin. We are industrious, kind, empathetic, tenacious, fiercely loving, and passionate!

We met through common causes and circumstances, and have forged a bond no sewing scissors or serrated saw could ever sever! Our names are different, but our hearts are mostly the same. We care about one another! You have loved me and celebrated my creations, cooking, healing, and admission (as my kids would tell you) I continue to be a “shit magnet!” When my heart was sinking, you swam to save it from the darkest depths. When others behaved without integrity and humility, and I lost my gravity, you were my moral compass. You have made me so unequivocally grateful I survived my past, and encouraged me to publish the story I almost didn’t get to share. But I did, and my book IS saving lives!

Strictly speaking for myself, I am the lucky one. You have taught me more about life than any family member, friend, or even next-door neighbor! You have shown me that no matter what comes along tomorrow, we will be together to deal with it. You see, we are like Mary Poppins’ carpet bag; there is no limit as to what we are capable of doing, finding, and making to carry on. Our billowing bag, just like an abundant toolbox, is filled with all we need to cope and endeavor. Because of this, while armed with a proudly carried iron shield called perseverance, we have become much more adept at fighting harder, running faster, and soldiering on fearlessly and tirelessly. Together we are strong. Together we have grace. Together we are blessed beyond measure. Because mercy has brought us into one another’s lives, we found each other, and we are no longer lost.

Just watch us go.