A personal note from Cara

The other day, a friend of mine told me about something his mother used to say: “If it ain’t one thing, it’s two.” And so it’s been for me the past several months, which is why Everyday Boston has been quieter than usual.

If you’re a human being on this planet, you’ve been through tough times. For me, this summer, it was an illness that put my life on pause, sent me to the hospital for three weeks, and took its own sweet time letting go.

This has happened to me before — the first time at 19, when I dropped out of college to get treated for cancer — so I know the drill. Friends are essential. For every chapter of my life, I've added a few more, and when tough times show up, they carry me through.But this time around, I had so many more people in my corner.

George Powell, one of the founding members of Everyday Boston, who joined shortly after he came home from prison, and has shaped the organization in profound ways ever since.

Because of Everyday Boston, I had George, who once left me a voicemail in the middle of the night because I was anxious about a medical test, and he wanted me to wake up to encouraging words.

He was there, texting back and forth with me, that very first night in the ER. He told me he'd hold on to my optimism until I could get it back.

Cheryl Harding, senior advisor to Councilor Andrea Campbell, who partnered with Everyday Boston on two story collecting projects to amplify the voices of seniors.

I  had Cheryl, always a force to be reckoned with, checking in almost  every day since June, refusing to take silence even in the hospital for  an answer (“Let me hear from you, girl!”).

At a portrait session for members of Everyday Boston's Bridge Project for returning citizens, including (from left): Dana Brown, Armand Coleman, Kamal Oliver, with board member LIli Ibara.

I had Armand (in the suit), showing up twice without warning in my hospital room, instructing my doctor to take care of me because I was a very important person.And Dana (in the Red Sox hat), who’s been known to send me reminders to eat something during challenging times, even if it’s just a little soup.

There are people I love from Everyday Boston who didn't know I was sick. I felt them in my corner anyway, because they’ve been there before.

The back of a journal given to me by Lana, Sophia, Debby, Weam, Aunnesha and Ayia- alumni of our youth program- after I said goodbye to my dog last year.

These people — and so many more I don’t have the space to celebrate here — have made my life immeasurably better. I’m stronger because of them. I’m wiser because of them. I laugh more. 

Because of the way our world works, I might never have met them— different neighborhoods, different workplaces, different ways of life. No easy or obvious way to cross the divide.

But this is what Everyday Boston was born to do: Give us all a stronger sense of belonging. And I feel so lucky to be on the other end of it.

In 2022, I hope you are, too. In the meantime, I wish you good health, plenty of love, and the blessings that come with new friends, and happy memories, even in the hardest times.

Much love,

Cara

October, 2021