Happy Valentines day, I got my shopping bag, what are you going to get?
I thought maybe I’d be cute
But I’m much too tired for that
Oh I could go on about how I hate this day
It’s much too silly for me to truly feel that way
With the pinks and the hearts and the flowers
Watching people remembering love
Maybe things hurt a little less
Giving comfort to this broken mess
Anneka painted this the night we were finding out Atticus had a tumour in his leg
I remembered Irene is still in there
Perchance sad and a little lost
Some treats for the kids and some for Jade
In the kitchen I was - those treats are homemade!
I woke up thinking of you
And I felt I needed to say a few things
I gotta write it and let you know
The gratitude, I need to let it flow
The last four years have been rough
The pain unbearable and unexplainable
But you were there all along
Holding me up, keeping me strong
Just. Keep. Swimming.
If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have eaten that night
Because of you, I was able to get snacks
To stress-eat when my boy was being cut open
By my side or in spirit next to me, keeping me hopin’
You visited us when we needed you
Seated beside me in silence when there was nothing else to say
Giggling, telling me stories of the outside
For moments, my worries set aside
You put groceries and household goods on my porch
Or the gifts in the mail
Quietly without me knowing, you didn’t need praise
Helping me find my way out of this dark maze
You won’t take “fine” or “good” for an answer
Considering you know me too well
Always holding space without scrutiny
Grateful to have you in my community
You make funny jokes
Some might even call dark or inappropriate
We loved it, laughter is a great inoculation
Against all the fear and frustration
You share your art with me
A generous gifting of your heart
Art, I know it heals
I might cry again, it’s hitting me in the feels
You send me sweet texts
Let me know you’re thinking of me
Even if I don’t respond
I still like it, and you don’t despond
You make me get up
When I feel I must quit
You remind me that I’m tenacious
And your love is so gracious
You make sure we are cared for
Because of you, we are not homeless
My willpower, of which you remind
I've done it before, I’ll do it again in kind
Even if I only see you on my screen
You and your family make me smile
You bring me hope when I think there is none
Sometimes, we might even have some fun
Little “leg gifts” the week before his amputation
Your devotion to my family amazes me
There’s no way I could even find the words
You support me honestly in my creativity
If my ideas are too out there, you come in with objectivity
Happy Valentines Day, my people
I can’t believe I have such an amazing community
You care for us and make sure we’re okay
Because of you, I can get up almost every day
When KGW came to interview Atticus after CJ McCollum sent a video message right before his amputation. Check it out here
Is “thank you” enough?
I don’t think it is, there needs to be more
Appreciation sounds so cliche
Nevertheless, I wanted to tell you on this holiday
*****
Happy Valentines Day, y’all!
Check out our Merch Fundraiser, and mousepads are back in stock! I also have my boutique with vintage and antique clothing, handmade, and some sustainable, still working on uploading all of those, but you can also check them out on my Depop shop. Also the “list of ways you can help” page continues to get updated.