Stormy Skies, Conversations, Kaleidoscopes, and Beauty

This week I’ve spent several days in Washington, DC attending the 2019 Safe Kids Conference (#prevcon). One late afternoon, I sat in the lobby of The Moxy in Washington DC watching the skies go from sunny to stormy. As a photographer, I’m always intrigued by the beauty of stormy skies because they make for interesting photos.

As usual, my days were filled with conference calls and meetings, in between conference sessions. I’m staying at The Moxy in downtown DC because it’s my new favorite hotel in DC. It’s a cool, hip hotel that’s part of the Marriott hotel chain. It’s within walking distance of Union Station and the Capitol area. Every afternoon, the lobby area was flooded with people showing up for Happy Hour. As I scanned the crowd, I saw people talking to each other and engaging over the many games at the tables. No one was looking at their electronic devices, with the exception of me, who was typing these thoughts.

One of the calls I had this week was our Action Inquiry Group call, which always leaves me feeling energized, heard, and positive. One of my colleagues mentioned that she had recently listened to the Two Dope Queenspodcast with Michelle Obama. So after the call, I downloaded the podcast and listened to it.

As an older white woman who is prioritizing learning at this stage of my life, I found the episode enlightening, as I listened to three black women discuss things like dealing with black hair in situations with rain and high humidity. Clearly, this is something that I’ve never even considered. As a result, I was suddenly reminded that my view of the world is just that. It’s seen through my lens, which has been pretty narrow.

The other thing that occurred to me is the realization that I’m craving intellectual conversations that allow me to further my leanings. I need to be around people who can provide more opportunities for these conversations.

Stormy skies excite me because of their beauty! Stormy conversations and situations also excite me because they offer opportunities to learn. Thanks to my friends and colleagues who continue to indulge me with these energizing opportunities. 

With another week of national headlines dominated by racist undertones, I also heard some encouraging, inspiring news. I had breakfast with my friend Dr. Paula Yuma and Torine Creppy, President of Safe Kids Worldwide while I was in DC. I learned from Torine about Joyful Food Markets, a program in our nation’s capital that provides no cost, farmers’ market-style markets in elementary schools at dismissal for children and their families. The markets, operated in partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank partner Martha’s Table in all 49 elementary schools in Washington D.C.’s Wards 7 & 8, and are designed to both increase access to healthy, high quality foods as well as encourage families to eat healthy food. At each market, children receive a 15-pound bag of groceries, of which 70% is fresh produce. In addition to receiving healthy food, families are invited to sample a dish made with market ingredients at the Joyful Tasting Table and children are encouraged to make their own fruit or vegetable snack at the Joyful Junior Chef Table.

While we were in DC, my friends and I had an opportunity to view one of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moonwalk. We watched as a photo of Apollo 11 was projected on to the Washington Monument. It was an opportunity to reflect on the amazing feat of our space program in the 1960s, in accomplishing the mission at a time when we didn’t have the technology or knowledge we possess today. It was also an opportunity to remember the contributions of some brilliant women who didn’t get recognition for their contributions until recently. 

Taking time to pause, reflect, learn and appreciate is always a “moment of awe.”

My life

My life was black and white and I believed it

I believed it

My eyes

My eyes looked at the world but couldn't see it

I couldn't see it

You're like the thing that makes the universe explode

Into the colors of a world I've never known

You keep turning, keep turning my life around

Violets and purples

Diamonds and circles

You're my kaleidoscope

I love every minute

You've got me in it

You're my kaleidoscope

Hey la nah nah oh

You keep turning, keep turning my life around

Hey la nah nah oh

You keep turning, keep turning my life around

Tonight

The stars are in your eyes and I surrender

I surrender

Tonight

Our hands against the wind, we are forever

We are forever

It all looks better when I see it with you here

You keep turning, keep turning my life around

Violets and purples

Diamonds and circles

You're my kaleidoscope

I love every minute

You've got me in it

You're my kaleidoscope

Hey la nah nah oh

You keep turning, keep turning my life around

Hey la nah nah oh

You keep turning, keep turning my life around

I closed my eyes to the orange skies

Living all of my days the same

Then you came along, and you sang your song

And the whole world around me changed

Kaleidoscope

A Great Big World