Saturday, August 29, 2020

"You are not behaving like a decent person, and I do not respect you."



You are not behaving like a decent person. 

 I do not respect you.

 Gabrielle Blair, The Consequences of Your Actions


I hope you'll read the above link, because in this post Gabrielle, otherwise known as Design Mom, writes literally everything that I think, on a nearly daily basis, as I struggle to maintain relationships even in my own family. It's incredibly exhausting and debilitating to all involved, I'm sure, even as I acknowledge how it pales in comparison to my fellow human beings who are fighting for their lives.

A lot has happened in the last week or so since I've been here on the old blog. I tested negative for Covid, thank goodness, and I'm sorry I didn't let you know earlier. I took Sophie to the beach for the first time in years -- down to the water -- in her new beach wheelchair that my parents bought for her. I think I'll leave you with these glorious pictures. Having access to the beach again is transformative and brings me to my knees in gratitude. Sophie was so happy.








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16 comments:

  1. fullsoulahead.comAugust 29, 2020 at 4:39 PM

    OMG. Sophie's beach chair is everything. I'm so happy for her and for you. Now, off to read the article.

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  2. Ms. MoonAugust 29, 2020 at 4:44 PM

    I love what Design Mom wrote. I'm with her. No longer is there any "we can agree to disagree" bullshit. You support Trump? You're a racist asshole and I will not be your friend on any level.
    On to that video- I watched it fullscreen and it is beyond beautiful. What a gift that beach wheelchair is.
    What a gift Sophie is.

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  3. DeanaAugust 29, 2020 at 6:22 PM

    I love so, so much that Sophie got to go to the beach. Back to her most peaceful place. <3

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  4. ghkcoleAugust 29, 2020 at 8:02 PM

    Thank you so much for posting the video! The photos are gorgeous, but the video takes my breath away.

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  5. Denise Emanuel ClemenAugust 29, 2020 at 8:37 PM

    Gorgeous pictures of Sophie and the ocean. And wow that wheelchair!!!! I'm so glad you tested negative for Covid. The deluge of f-ed upedness is beyond overwhelming, but we must keep moving forward.

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  6. Make!Do!August 29, 2020 at 8:47 PM

    That Design Mom thread was EVERYTHING it was such a relief to hear someone else draw those boundaries.

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  7. ClaireAugust 30, 2020 at 2:55 AM

    So beautiful!! My Sophie has been stuck around the house since March. Typically by now we would have had two short weekends out at a hotel on or near the ocean. The other day she pointed outside and said to me "Buy me a trip!" So I did. We have a week in Maine in Sept, sharing a beautiful lakefront cottage with my sister. We are bringing our own supplies and will just sit there. It's a gift to Sophie for her patience and to me for my retirement from 20 years of Montessori teaching.

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  8. 37paddingtonAugust 30, 2020 at 5:49 AM

    Sophie at the beach at sunset. There is still beauty in the world. I discovered that piece by design mom this week too. I respect her.

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  9. Frimet RothAugust 30, 2020 at 7:12 AM

    I really enjoyed these photos and that special video of Sophie grooving at the beach. They're so inspiring! And what a thoughtful gift that beach -wheelchair is. You don't see any of those around here. (sadly) So glad you were negative for Covid; you had us all worried!

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  10. My life so farAugust 30, 2020 at 7:56 AM

    I read the post from design mom, harsh and fair. I like. We tell our children that there are consequences for their actions and there are for adults too.

    The photos of Sophie are lovely as always. She reminds me of a buddha.

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  11. Steve ReedAugust 30, 2020 at 8:06 AM

    Love the pictures of Sophie at the beach!

    I found Gabrielle's post very powerful and honest, and I respect the strength of her convictions, but to be completely frank I don't think things are quite that clear-cut. I have a few Trump-supporting friends on social media (four that I can think of, out of 450 or so total) and I wouldn't block or de-friend them just for that. I think there's as much danger in our defining and oversimplifying their beliefs as there is in them calling us "snowflakes" or "libtards." I find Trump supporters utterly mystifying but I'm not sure they're always morally bankrupt -- I think we just don't perceive reality the same way, whether that's because they're seeing different newscasts or approaching issues from a different set of personal values. Do I think they're wrong? Yes, but I don't want to penalize them for that.

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    Replies
    1. Steve ReedAugust 30, 2020 at 8:07 AM

      Oh, and I'm glad to hear about your Covid test! WHEW!

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  12. SabineAugust 30, 2020 at 8:58 AM

    Oh how wonderful for you and for Sophie. And thanks to the great brains that developed this amazing beach chair!

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  13. jacquelineAugust 30, 2020 at 3:21 PM

    The mermaid returns....

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  14. elfAugust 30, 2020 at 5:39 PM

    Sophie is DANCING.

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  15. BohemianAugust 30, 2020 at 7:20 PM

    Relieved that the COVID Test came back Negative! So sorry to hear that some relationships are strained, these are such difficult times and so many aren't acting like decent people, it's sad. When I lose respect or trust for someone it's difficult for me to remain close, I want to remain at a distance if someone cannot be trusted or has failed to act with decency and basic humanity, even if it hasn't been against me personally. I Love the new Beach Buggy that your Parents bought for Sophie so that the Mermaid can return to the Ocean, it's so Calming and so Vast that it soothes the Spirit of most of us to behold it's Magnificence!

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