[Lace Watkins]

I’m so anxious about sharing this with you all, particularly during the season where I will ask you for support, over and above my quasi-monthly asks.

I am going to ask this community to stand with me in a push towards the end of the year, but also for next year too.

But the things that are spoken of in this meme are important too.

I’ve hesitated saying and asserting this, because as self-serving as the above may sound to some ears, asking to be able to exhale and be less anxious over this job and vocation I am called to do can sound whiny and arrogant and that I am entitled to be less battered.

But this has been a hard two years, and of all the places in the world, this, the community that I have co-created with all of you, should not be the place where I suppress, but the place where I can share freely.

As we push towards year end, and through the next year, I will continue to be vulnerable, and I will allow myself to say ouch.

And, Help.

These last 2 years have been such a struggle, and I hope you have seen my heart, my honor, and my relentless reliability as I have walked with you all.

I do not want to highlight my bruises, but I also don’t want to feel that I have to hide them.

I want to be able to ask you for help and feel that at least a few of you will show up for me and for this community and for the organization that is our shared legacy.

So yes, I am going to ask you to stand with me in tangible ways.

I hope you choose to see me when I do.

I hope you will not punish me for my invitation.

I hope you find the work that I do and the woman I am and strive to be worthy enough of support so that I can continue doing this for years to come.

I am grateful for those who have been a balm and have salved my wounds; who have pressed me water.

Thank you for anticipating my invitations with openness rather than indifference and contempt.

I appreciate and and am so grateful for each and every one of you all.

Discussion

[Rebecca McClinton]

Here to stand with you in tangible ways both through committed financial engagement and service to sustaining and growing this community and work. You are valued, respected, and treasured, and I appreciate you and this organization every day.

[Author]

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