I had an emergency appendectomy this week! What an adventure. My friend sent me this below passage from Thich That Hanh on a morning after the surgery when I was feeling very poorly and she didn’t even know it. It was such a comfort, and I thought of all of you, all of us.

Dear one, I am here for you. Darling, I know you are there, and I am so happy. Dear one, I know you are suffering. That is why I am here for you. Dear one, I am suffering, too. Please help.
(Thich Nhat Hanh)

I have a picture on the wall of my office that is a Thai temple rubbing depicting one warrior carrying another. This quote reminds me of that picture, and why I have it on the wall. This is the work we are doing: carrying each other. When you come to my office, I am very aware that I am one warrior carrying another, that I have no special knowledge or capacity beyond your own, but that I am here to accompany you. And I am very aware that I am lowly and in need of help. We all make a big circle. Just wanting you to know.

Warmly,

April