September Reflections

Seriously, I need to stop saying, “What a week!”

These days, every single week merits that exclamation!

But really and truly, that’s a good thing. It’s a poppin’ on the Page, and in other online spaces, as well as in our offline lives. 

Learning what we are made of. Learning what is by now marrow deep in us, and what has yet to take root. Finding out for ourselves, with others watching on, if our voice is full throated and robust, or a barely heard croak. 

We have had our discernments tested. We have seen what a diamond hard praxis looks like, and we have also seen a seemingly authentic praxis, actually made of shoddy paste, easily crumbled. 

Every week, we have the decision to make both individually and collectively, as to the people we are going to be, here in the living room, and out in the world. Every minute, we make choices as to whether or not what we learn in this space has legs that can run, or if we will limp on atrophied limbs. 

I gotta tell ya. 

As we gear up for the Lace on Race Cafe, as we learn to serve, we will need strong legs. And backs. And arms. 

And spirits. And mindsets. And resolve. 

Everything is fodder. For both good and ill. This past week, I have read with relish and have seen real movement in so many of you. I have seen many of you do the work that tells me you are ready for Chef’s Table, where we will go deeper and faster, and will learn to cleave around the worn wooden table, even as we prepare to serve in the Dining Room. There are those of you who will need better muscles before you are ready to serve with relentless reliability. You will learn it at Chef’s Table, where you will go farther and faster and deeper than you first thought you were able. 

And for those of you who only want French Fries, we will be here for you too at the Takeout Counter. You will get the same nourishing fare, but I do so hope that as you smell the good food wafting through the takeout window, you will hunger for more. There will be a place for you there whenever you are ready. 

As we transition to mainly website, (kudos to the Lace on Race Staff, who are working yeoman behind the scenes), we will be beta testing. It’s exciting. It’s also terrifying. 

This new concept will take our ethos of being New People doing New Things in New Ways to an entirely new level.  I have seen what is in store, or rather in kitchen, and wow! I am so excited! 

Meanwhile, I invite you to walk with me, as I transition in my own life to serve you ever better and ever deeper. 

When I look out at the orange tree and see green oranges ripening in the Southern California sun, I think of each of you. 

Each of us, including myself (especially myself) started out hard and green and immature. Some of us are just turning orange; some of us are ready and ripe and heavy with juice. All are welcome. 

Welcome to the new season. Welcome to renewed commitment and praxis. 

Welcome home. Find your apron on the peg by the kitchen door, and let’s start chopping. 

As always, 

Your Lace

P.s.  my deepest thanks for your outpouring of care and concern for my mother and father as they navigate my mother’s health scare. They are still running tests; hopefully she can go home today or tomorrow. I do so appreciate the community’s graciousness to me as I fulfill my daughterly duties even as I strive to give you my very best here in this space.

p.p.s. Here is a link to our latest newsletter update: 
http://bit.ly/LoRUpdate9242020


6 responses to “September Reflections”

  1. Jaime Avatar
    Jaime

    I am excited to see the new cafe, and I am already humbled by and grateful to the people getting ready to serve. Thanks for having an apron here for me. I am doing exercises for better muscles so I can serve with relentless reliability.

  2. Konstanze Avatar
    Konstanze

    I’m here ready to put my apron on! And I’ll gladly snack on the french fries and the chef’s table on the side.

    Also, I’m glad to hear your parents are doing ok and hope for your mum’s speedy recovery

  3. Kathy K Avatar
    Kathy K

    I’m have both excitement and trepidation about what I’ll be learning to cook and serve up as we transition to the next level of being new people doing new things in new ways.

    As you say, the charge you place on us, to step up, step out, take risks, do direct action that validates all the talking and analyzing and naming and owning racist thought and practice, in my self, in the systems and structures I am involved with that we go here. It’s good work but without the next level what good does it do? If we don’t share it, if we treat it like pornography, something we feel a need to keep on the down low lest it impact our social standing, or create conflict with Friends, family and coworkers. That isn’t following the trajectory to the North Star at all—Just adding more harm to ttebleopkk OK e we say we stand with.

  4. Rebecca McClinton Avatar
    Rebecca McClinton

    I feel the warmth of the invitation to the worn wooden table of people doing new things in new ways and am so thankful. Somedays I feel like the green and immature orange, others ripe and on the way to juicy. I will keep working so all the sides of myself are more congruent in the same direction. Looking forward to the cafe!

  5. Julia Avatar
    Julia

    Can’t wait! I’m a little rusty in the kitchen

  6. Vicki van den Eikhof Avatar
    Vicki van den Eikhof

    I smell something cooking! I’m excited to see what this will look like.

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