Hello,
I’ve been wanting to write to you but I can’t always find the words. There is so much I want to share and I’ve also felt I don’t know how to write it when life pendulates between the every day ups and downs of my life in the UK, to feeling struck with grief at things happening in the world, including the genocide in Palestine, which includes at least 200,000 children killed. I went to review a delicious restaurant in Brighton last week and had a joyful time with a friend, while on the bus on the way there I cried as I listened live (on an Instagram livestream) to Israeli soldiers illegally intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying essential humanitarian aid to starving people in Gaza.
Amid the horror, I find hope in the videos of children singing and dancing posted by charities, of the people striving to keep trying to send aid, and of the octogenarian protestors who bravely continue to peacefully protest and get arrested in the UK. One video I saw, showed fishermen in Gaza were able to catch an abundance of fish for the first time, while Israeli soldiers were distracted with the flotilla. One person being interviewed after being released shared the story of how Greta Thunberg lost her frog hat at sea and Tunisian people brought several to give her after she was released. Something simple but such a gesture of human kindness. I am inspired by the articulate and passionate Greta Thunberg risking her life and using her global platform to “keep eyes on Gaza”.
This week, people have been marking two years of the war in Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of people took part in marches over the weekend to call for an end to the genocide. More than 250,000 attended a march in Amsterdam on Sunday. Universities in the UK have staged protests and walk-outs. Here, Brighton & Hove Ceasefire Coalition has been putting on several events, including an incredibly moving ‘Children’s Shoes Memorial Installation’ and a ‘Mass Die-In’ where people wore black. This Saturday, October 11, there will be a national demonstration for Palestine in London, with record numbers expected. Let’s hope the powers that be finally listen!
Turning 38
On September 24, it was my 38th birthday. This may be the best birthday I have had yet. On the Saturday before, I had a wholesome, earlyish evening gathering for a few friends, which included sharing food, a ritual guided by a talented friend, singing and dancing. My lovely friends who have a community house 10 minutes walk from my new home generously hosted the celebration. In a circle, my friends shared what they love about me and a wish for my next year. I felt very loved and will savour everything they shared. Then, to mark the Autumn Equinox, we released something into the garden fire pit, before quickly throwing water on it, because it was so windy the piece of paper I threw in whooshed up into a garden bush and set fire to it!
That week, I truly revelled in the Autumnal ‘scarves and sandals’ weather and did right up until I accidentally left my battered Birkenstocks behind accidentally at my sister’s house in London and was forced to wear croc-like gardening shoes instead.
On my birthday, a Wednesday, I sauna-ed at Luna Hut Sauna Cafe with a friend who had made cacao. I treated myself to coffee and creamy carrot cake as a late breakfast. Then, I went to Jubilee Library for an Artist’s Date to finally join now I have a proper address. I browsed the whole of the top floor, let a helpful man tell me all about the library, and took out seven books, which I still haven’t read. I had brunch with my boyfriend at Starfish and Coffee, a walk in Queens Park, and a birthday dinner again treated to by my love, at new Brighton restaurant Taro, which was splendid. The staff were absolutely lovely and gave me two free birthday desserts and sang happy birthday.
In the days leading up to my birthday, I did feel slightly wobbly and I’m glad I saved cards and presents to open when I woke up by myself in the morning, as well as plan some morning activities. As I gave myself permission to celebrate myself, I considered what if every day was like my birthday and I gave myself permission to celebrate myself/ do things that bring so much joy?! What if those of us, who have the privilege of getting older, are perhaps healthy and able-bodied, live in this free society, allowed ourself permission to do as much as what we love as possible?
The following week, I wrote in a note in my phone… “I love being older and not caring that I haven’t brushed my hair today. I love not caring that I’m wearing gardening shoes as I walk down Western Road.”
This week, I wrote in a message to a friend: “Yes sometimes I wish I was thinner but I also love myself and I love bread and butter and I love crisps.”
So that’s my ponderings at 38 so far. My favourite thing I received was a handwritten auntie card from my sister’s kids, who are the brightest lights of my life.
Things That Have Brought Me Joy
My friend making this stunning platter for my birthday celebration
Receiving many flowers for my birthday, including a knitted sunflower!
Clearing space in my new home and celebrating by buying a rug with birthday vouchers
Starting the third year of my counselling course and catching up with course mates
Seeing my niblings
Catching up with friends
Sharing gratitudes with friends
Doing The Artist’s Way course with Marianne Power and a group of more than 20 people. The morning pages are making me get out of bed!
Meals out including a feast at Indian Summer
Dancing with friends
Celebrating a friend’s 40th then going to an impromptu house party after
My car passing its MOT!
Uplifting News Stories
British-Egyptian activist reunited with family after release from prison | BBC News
Scientists Achieve ‘Striking Reversal of Alzheimer’s’ in Mice | Newsweek
Black grouse returns to North York Moors after 200 years | Gazette & Herald
Man completes 10-mile daily walk for 1,000 days | BBC News
Chunk wins Alaska’s popular Fat Bear Week contest | AP
Plastic Bag Bans Work: New Study Confirms Drop in Beach Litter | Happy Eco News
Cannabis extract relieves chronic back pain: high-quality trial | AFP / France24
Los Angeles Zoo welcomes 2 baby girl chimpanzees | CBS News
Tourism is helping Uganda’s endangered mountain gorillas make a comeback | AP
Worth Sharing
How to avoid five mental biases – and make your life happier in the process | The i
5 Signs That a ‘Scarcity Mindset’ Is Holding You Back, According to Experts | SELF
Pilgrimage as a way of being with uncertainty | To Hear The Trees Speak
Vulnerability as a Superpower | Donna Lancaster
Take a Second Look | Nedra Nuggets
What if we learnt to grieve together? | Upcoming grief course in Brighton by The Slow Work Garden
OK, that’s it from me for now.
I hope to write to you again soon.
BB x
Happy belated birthday Becky! And thank you for sharing my pilgrimage post. I so get how difficult it is to write in these times when there is so much happening, so thank you for continuing to write x
I want to acknowledge that I didn't mention the horrifying synagogue attack in Manchester where two worshippers were killed on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar Yom Kippur on October 2. I did start writing about this too when I wrote this very late last night, but I was grappling with how to write about lots of difficult things when I am one person who originally set out to write an uplifting newsletter. I apologise to anyone who felt disappointed by me not mentioning this, or the rise of anti-semitism in the UK, which are of course also devastating and divisive.