|
It's sunny in what feels like the first time in weeks. The kind of sun that feels like home when it touches the backs of your shoulders. So I took a break from working in my studio and went out for a walk. I walked along Howard Street toward 6th. Last night I found out that a friend's sister had been killed while riding her bike there. I walked by slowly, not knowing what emotions to even feel. Grief, sadness, guilt, something. There is so much suffering daily on these streets, and here was another tragedy that took place and now there there is nothing left to let anyone know what happened. Hundreds of people will bike by this same spot today and their life will continue. Hundreds of people will walk by this spot today without knowing what took place. Standing there in the bike lane at Sixth and Howard I thought about how we remember, or forget, in public space. I thought about the heaviness of that place, of what my friend and her family might be feeling, of what it means to practice empathy, to feel sadness on the corner of a street on a sunny day while the city buzzes around you.
|
|
|
I didn't know what to do about any of these thoughts. Truth is that at any point on an day in any bike lane or park or house we too could meet death. All I know is that right now we have the opportunity to be alive in this moment. Let's make the most of it. I ask that you commit a small, revolutionary act today. Tell someone that you care about them. Check in on them, ask how they are feeling today, share something you love about them. Let me know how it goes. Thanks for being here. Thanks for being you.
|
|
|
PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH ANYONE WHO YOU THINK WOULD DIG IT. THANKS! :)
|
|
|
Anything you are curious about or want to ask me? Let me know at hhfranks@gmail.com
|
|
|
|
