Sunshine

…and sweetness

The tiny book is just below

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A Tiny House in the Woods

Tiny book #58

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Oh! Before I forget. I promised pictures of the ongoing de-cluttering.

A counter that had things from when we first moved in at the bottom. I found a cake pan I’d bought and forgotten about!

Today is Friday. Friday generally means a couple game of chess with my chess partner. He’s going to be 70 this year, and when I first mentioned that I was going to run an anti-capitalist festival of friendship he was a little concerned. He’s a financial advisor.

But…he was also one of the first people to offer to do something inside the space.

Chess, twice a week, he suggested.

…and in October we began. He had a chess board that his brother had gifted him fifty years ago and he’d never won a game.

When we first met it was at the dog park. He’d tell me stories while we watched our dogs play. Then I found out he lived in my neighbourhood.

We’d say hello and wave as we walked our dogs.

But the chess games became a place where we became genuine friends.

I didn’t think we’d have much in common. I’m a queer non-binary human, autistic, and pretty weird. I lead with kindness always. I wear really bright colours.

He was a biker. A single dad of grown children and a grandfather.

Turns out that having a thing (chess) twice a week even for a couple hours can grow a beautiful friendship.

I often tell him I love him. In that expansive friendship way.

…and today, he remarked upon it. He said…you always say I love you. And I don’t say it back. But you have become on of my best friends.

…and he’s become one of mine.

We have found spaces where our lives intersect, and learned so much from each other.

Today he said “I love you” in that expansive friendship way. That he was grateful for my friendship and the time I take to play chess each week. I told him thank you back.

He believed in this version of Curious & Kind when it was just an idea. It’s grown into a place that holds space for all sorts of people…and today we were talking about how it’s coming to its natural ending, and how we might host a potluck gathering for all the folks who been making it was it’s become.

He’s going to make brown bread. I’ll bring some soup.

I feel an intense amount of hope and gratitude today.

For all the people who’ve made space for me and my colourful self in their lives.

I love you.

Heart,

Wake

(The coffee my friend made me this morning. It was her birthday this week and I brought her a tiny monster in a box. When I walk into that cafe the baristas shake their hands in the ASL expression of applause…and it’s like being in Cheers. I’m so going to miss living in a town where most folks not only know my name…but smile with genuine warmth when I see them. I’m going to carry this town in my heart. Always.)