Here's the thing...

Table family,

It has taken me a week or two to sit down to write this. Every time I thought to begin, something stopped me. But I kept pushing that something out of my head. I was afraid if I let that something--whatever it was-- in, it would paralyze me. It was easier to just keep moving.

Until this morning. Today was the first morning in a few weeks that I didn’t immediately rush out of bed to get to work or to begin responding to emails. I let myself lay in bed and listen to the rain storm outside. I let myself think of Jessie & Clinton who are sleeping in tents right now, probably soaked from the storm because of a few holes that have broken through their tent. I let myself think of Jonathan, who is probably waiting at the bus stop right now, hoping to make it on time to the day labor office to earn a few dollars for rent. I let myself think of Clay, who is waking up to no power, which means he can’t make food for his hungry son. And of Adele, who is probably terrified in this storm, as she sleeps in her car every night.

My heart aches for my community right now. It’s that simple. I know your heart aches too. 

The ache is for what’s happening to our community right now, but it’s also for what we’re missing in our community right now. Like Cory’s laugh and how he calls Josh “Jason” even though he has been told a million times. Like Suzette’s giggle and her endless smile that you can see from a block away. Like you, bringing your appetites and friends and presence to Table again and again. My community, your community, our community.

I have no answers, ya’ll. I wish I did. I wish I knew when the pain and suffering would end. I wish I knew when we could all see each other again.

I don’t.

But my shero Maya Angelou says this: “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”

Be a rainbow for someone in this stormy time. Let someone do that for you.  The only way through this is with each other. 

Thank you for making A Place at the Table possible every single day for all of us who really need to find our rainbows, even if they come masked, gloved, and curbside.

Stay safe and be well, friends.

With hugs,

Maggie Kane
Executive Director

 
P.S. YES, we are open! We have changed our hours temporarily and are doing a limited menu for curbside meals! See our website for more details on how to call in your order or pop by (6 feet a part) to place your order!