springtime greetings from Melanie
Dear friends,
Almost one year has passed since I’ve last written. I think of each one of you and send my love. I hope you and your families are safe, healthy, and happy enough. May you have access to running water, food, and warm shelter — covid-19 vaccines too. May we all be together again soon.
Yesterday was my thirty-first birthday, celebrated in a tent pitched creekside near my house in the oak forest. At midnight I woke to fresh rain splashing my face, my tent exposed to stars (and rain!); in the morning, I followed the sun in its slowness, the daddy long legs rippling across the creek, birds cawing, butterflies passing by. A quiet birthday morning and an afternoon of swimming at the beach with My and Jonathan. If you're curious, here is my annual birthday letter.
A few updates on my life since last I wrote:
I started a new job in March working at a tech nonprofit, imagining and building projects related to economic mobility and racial equity (in partnership with local government). I’m so excited that one of our pilots will focus on Oakland, a city that I’ve grown increasingly fond of since arriving home from Palestine last spring.
Last year I began co-organizing Sit Walk Listen, mindful gatherings in support of racial justice. We have held upwards of 15 events now across the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, and Los Angeles.
My Palestinian school, Makeen Initiative, graduated our first class of 26 students during the pandemic, and raised enough funding from the U.S. State Department for future cohorts.
I also started posting short (ten-minute) guided meditations online - just five in total now but hoping to keep it up. Be gentle, it's a new project :)
Mostly though, I’ve been learning to be with myself — meeting loneliness, delighting in the winter storms filling the creek, the budding of the first tree leaves. Finding hope and purpose in my work and in communities of friends gathering online.
I miss you, dear friends, and send so much love and care. I know that the same moon shaping the tides near me is the one you see at night, the same sun warming my skin beckons in the morning where you are. Thank you for being there.
In gratitude,
Melanie