Last week I put out a handwritten sign. It said “We’re Here, Let’s Talk.” Each day, I put that sign out and I stayed outside. Tension and harsh feelings had cast a cloud over the whole street. Then, the people came. The good weather helped. And we talked. About ordinary things. About kids and dogs and where we came from, and what we liked and disliked. Very, very ordinary and very, very important things. These small conversations, started at the sidewalk with people I have never spoken to before, lifted the cloud of tension, and let the sunshine pour in.

Lisa came over, saying “I had to come and find out what you are doing here.” We had such a great conversation. I found out she lives next door to my friends on Parkview. Later in the week, the soul of generosity, she dropped by with graham crackers, and toilet paper, and masks, saying “I have plenty to share.”

Kathy, Beth Bren, Lisa, Franklin, Emily, Joe, Mike, Nat, Adam, Hannah, David, Sarah, Karen, Tom, Anthony, Addie, Connor, Carmelita, Tracy, Christina, James, Judy, Amanda, Keyanna, John, Jahjuan, Megan, Josh, Naomi, Maximus, Courtnee, Eric, Joshua, (plus dog Freddy Mercury), Kate (plus dog Karachi), Angie, Kim, Dave, Pamela, Malik, Max, Terrell, Rachel, Kiran, Katie, Schlomo, Clint, Sara, Sam and Terrence. This list of names is a list of moments last week where we became just a bit more of a neighborhood, and less a collection of strangers. It’s simple, profound, and exhilarating.

we're here.jpg

Street View

Welcome De’Voe Sherman

Big Feelings