​

​

Hello friends,

What does it mean to survive? To build a life against grim odds? To grow beautiful, despite hardship? To band together with others like you, however distant?

On a recent walk, I stopped, mid-conversation, to wonder at the beauty of a circle of succulents growing from a rock wall. Amazing, that such a beautiful thing could find a way to live in what would seem to me to be difficult conditions to thrive. Not only was there scant soil—between the cracks, somehow?—but the plant rooted in vertical space, clinging tightly to the stone.

And yes, is not that a metaphor?

It is said that life finds a way, and it does. But not everyone makes it, either.

I think of the gay men of my youth, dead from a disease deemed appropriate punishment for daring to live in truth instead of shadows. I think of the children, starving, as the world watches. I think of too many heartbreaking, and enraging things. Every day.

Yet each day I am also reminded of the resilience of this earth, and the beauty in human faces. I am reminded of the power of creation. Connection. Survival.

I think of myself, and others I know, who have made it through terrible times and found a way to not only survive, but to create and thrive.

In order to survive, we must cling to life in all its terrible beauty.

And then we must each find a way to help each other through.

Best wishes — Thorn

Reminder that 50% of my Witches of Portland ebook bundle sales and 100% of Resistance Matters ebook sales from my website go to organizations fighting for immigrant justice in the US: ThornCoyleBooks​

To help starving families in Sudan: Displacement & Health Relief Network​

To help starving families in Gaza: Gaza Soup Kitchen​