“We light candles in testament that faith makes miracles possible.”

–Nachum Braverman

I believe in miracles. We are in the season of celebrating light and miracles. The world needs miracles right now. Miracles of peace in our lives and world. Miracles of healing bodies and relationships. Brand new miracles and miracles that have been worked toward for a long time. Miracles big and small. Miracles that redefine what is possible for each other, our communities, and our world. Miracles that remind us to pay attention and be amazed.

Paying Attention

Once In The 1940s

I started looking for new poems to write about early this year. I scoured poetry sites, read major publications’ best-of lists, and followed my favorite poetry podcast (Poetry Unbound of the On Being Project) to find poems to write about. Once In The 1940s is one of the poems I found.

Jon Batiste

I am a huge fan of Jon Batiste. Over the summer of 2023, he released World Music Radio. I have it on repeat. Netflix released a documentary in late November of 2023 — American Symphony — that tells the story of Batiste’s amazing capacity to create and love. To see the beauty and suffering of life addressed so honestly, compassionately, and openly broke my heart in the best possible way. 

Foundations for Being Alive

I am an avid podcast listener, and the podcasts of On Being have been on my list for years. In 2023, they produced a series of short podcasts entitled “Foundations for Being Alive.” I have listened to the series several times. On Being describes the series saying, “At this juncture in the life of the world, we are all stretching. We are finding the ground shifting beneath our feet, whoever we are. Think of these as tethering foundations towards walking our way into our callings in this world of so much pain — and so much promise.”