Last night I attended a memorial service for a man I first met while I was coming and going from the Encampment, and he living there. Someone I came to respect and like. He died some time ago, and this was the first opportunity for this group to come together and remember him. Give thanks for his life. Express thanks to him for what he still means to many.
This was one of a few things lately that our little community of carers has organised in whispers.
The harassment continues. The hostility continues.
There has been an attempt to use legal technicalities to prevent a grassroots charity's annual fundraising dinner from happening. Unsuccessful. There has been another to use those same laws to prevent them from providing the meals they provide to hungry people. Unsuccessful.
It's become sadly predictable that every time we do something in the public eye, somebody takes a shot.
All across the world, on August 31 people gathered in towns and cities to remember International Overdose Awareness Day. There were speeches and hugs. Candles were lit. Music was played. Town Halls were illuminated with purple light. In other years in our town, there have been events planned and promoted. An open invitation issued to everyone to come, to learn, to remember, to hope.
This year, in our town, it was done in whispers. Word of mouth to trusted people. And the act of remembrance was folded into another event, less 'controversial,' so most people in town didn't even know it happened.
This is what we are coming to.
On a brighter note, I also attended a local event called Tattoos4Trauma, an annual gathering focussed on suicide prevention, and on remembering the victims and survivors of suicide and its loss. Beautiful event. The weather co-operated, and there were no hecklers. We walked together down the boardwalk on the rocky beach, pausing at stations marked by the names and faces of those we've lost. People pausing, holding hands, and telling passers-by, "He was my son." "She was my friend." Suicide is slowly losing the shame-stigma that forced people to lie about how their loved one died. We are realising that it's ok to ask for help. Events like this one push that goal forward.
Quite a contrast to last night's gathering.
It was held at dusk on the shore of Lake Ontario. The sun set on us as we stood together. There was rain in the forecast, but so far so good.
Under the small canopy, people took turns at the mic sharing their memories, and our friend's own words. Reminding us that he was a man who "fought like hell for a better world" and he'd want us to do the same. As the hour advanced, clouds moved in and it started to rain. We all just stood and sat and (those of us who had cast a judging eye on the sky and left the umbrella in the car in a fit of optimism) got wet. And it was fine.
One of the speakers finished their words and one of the hosts said, come on you guys there's room under here for you you don't have to sit in the rain. So we bunched up together as best we could under the shelter. A couple of people took out their phones, turned on the flashlight, and held them high. Another speaker took the mic and began to speak. Then the wind showed up. Gusts strong enough to push the tentpole at my back against me. I stood against it to keep it from leaning any further. And all around the circle hands went up. All around the circumference of the tent people reached up and got a grip on the metal framework of the tent and held. it. down. And I thought... this is who we are.
I've heard it said that good intentions don't create a better world. A safer world.
Oh, but honey.
Good intentions held by a community of strong, loving people...
Good intentions acted on by a community of strong, loving people...
Good intentions are the lever by which we will move the world.
Our friend would want us to 'fight like hell' and he's partly right.
Hell started the battle. Hell fired the first shots with ammunition like mental illness, addictions, greed, selfishness, arrogance, self-righteousness, pain, hatred, manipulation. It fights using tactics like suspicion, intimidation, stalking, doxxing, slander and libel.
Hell fights using half-truth as a weapon.
Using fear as an excuse.
Love doesn't have that luxury. Love fights by looking the enemy in the eye and seeing a human being. Welcoming, feeding, warming absolutely anyone. Even that one.
We will not fight like hell. We will fight like love.
And we will keep on fighting for a better world. A safer world for everyone.
Because hell started it.
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