(For my friend Ashlyn)

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Epigraph:

meraki

(v.) to do something with soul, creativity or love; to leave a part of yourself in your work.

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A schematic of sorts

or a basic blueprint 

for how we live fiercely in, by, for

and with each other

In spite of anxiety’s alarm ringing

and a stressed schedule singing,

bringing an answer to the question

What is love?

                In…

Truth, authenticity, tenacity, valor, justice, integrity, depth of character, honor, discipline and levity.

                By…

trusting gifts we’ve been given are best shared with others

noticing people equally in their frailty and vulnerability as we do in their acclaim and success. Perhaps even more so.

helping as best we can how we can when we can without drawing attention to it.

having faith it will receive the attention 

it’s meant to.

realizing there isn’t going to be 

another one of these 

to come around 

so we need

to do our own thing

as we’re called to be

for we 

are the only one of us 

the world will ever see

               For…

the ones who can’t speak

we speak 

the ones who can’t stand

we stand

the ones who can’t dance 

we dance

the ones who can’t share

we share

the ones who can’t believe 

we believe

the sake of love

the purpose of faith

each other

ourselves

the earth we leave to our children 

the lives we leave behind until we meet again

              With…

everything we have

everything we are

the best of intentions

compassion

our friends in mind

the spirit of Christmas every day of the year

love for chosen family

love for extended family

love for our neighbors 

the realization everyone is our neighbor

faith that light casts out darkness

assurances that we matter to each other

a sense of belonging in the vastness

the certainty that you are irreplaceable 

the hope that you always take the time to        notice this 

the power to inhabit space in others lives

the promise you hold space in my heart

In, By, For and With each other…

ever and always 

how we love first 

how we live fiercely

how we leave forever to those with the power to decide such things

and trust that now is enough

to do and be all we are meant to

now is sufficient 

now is kind

now is beautiful 

I now hereby pronounce you worthy

I now hereby declare you hold fast to eternal value

I now hereby proclaim you are an integral part of all existence 

the essence of existence itself

in, by, for and with each other

What is love?

You are.

Go now, and be true to yourself.