Of course it's a love letter

Dear friends,

Three things:

1. Valentine’s Day is so dumb, in so many ways - all that heteronormativity in the form of dusty heart-shaped boxes of goo-filled chocolate from questionable sources and roses with heavy carbon footprints - but it does give us a reason to pause and think, really think, about who we love and how we love those people.

   I watched my son at breakfast this morning, wearing his blanket like a cape, the sun through the window grazing his hair. My heart gushed. I thought of Toni Morrison talking to Oprah and asking how you first look at your children when they walk into a room. Do you tell them their shirt’s on backwards, or their hair needs brushing, or their breath is stinky? Or, as Morrison suggests, do you “let your face speak what’s in your heart?”

   I’ll admit, it takes practice to greet my children with delight - but it’s there, so much of it, in my heart - why not lead with it?

   Think about how leading with love and delight in all our interactions with kids, partners, friends, family -OURSELVES - could tip each day toward joy.

oprah

These 11 words taught me one of the greatest lessons I’ve ever learned: When your child enters the room, does your face light up? Thank you for that gift, Toni. The Toni Morrison conversation that changed my life will re-air tonight at 8 PM on @owntv. Timeless.

August 10, 2019

2. Look up in the mirror, like damn - she the one.

---

3. Poem for My Love, by June Jordan

   How do we come to be here next to each other   
   in the night
   Where are the stars that show us to our love   
   inevitable
   Outside the leaves flame usual in darkness   
   and the rain
   falls cool and blessed on the holy flesh   
   the black men waiting on the corner for   
   a womanly mirage
   I am amazed by peace
   It is this possibility of you
   asleep
   and breathing in the quiet air

   ---

   Much love to you and yours,

   XO,

   Leigh