by Kristy Laschober, Community Resource Director
Driving to work on the morning of September 8th, navigating the unusually strong winds, I felt the urge to appreciate the fierceness of mother nature. Living in Southern Oregon, surrounded by majestic mountains and trees in subtle shades of green, I am easily right-sized while contemplating my place in the world.
As the day went on, I learned about the fires and how the wind haphazardly blew the direction of my mother’s neighborhood in Talent. I went from feeling a sense of awe and wonder to paralyzing fear.
An entire community is now navigating tragedy in their own way. Depending on their experience and circumstances they are feeling pain, gratitude, compassion, trauma, sadness, and overwhelming loss at different times of the day.
How do we feel our feelings and be true to ourselves while holding space and sensitivity for others? Grace. Grace for ourselves and for others in our community.
My mom didn’t lose her house, but most of her neighbors did. She is finding it difficult to allow herself to feel sadness and fear, while her house is still standing.
As a sober person, recovery has taught me that being honest about how we truly feel is the first part of grace. The next part is connection. Sharing, out loud with people we feel safe with establishes a oneness and connection to others. We are not alone. We are all similar and when truth and authenticity are spoken, each one of us can relate on some level, to the other. Nothing good comes from denying our feelings. Give yourself permission to experience all of it, then if you are able, stand beside someone who is still suffering so they know they are not alone.
