No Reservations

​Tribe of Compassion,
 
When I was little, my extended maternal family didn't have lots of extras. My mom was one of 9 from a relatively poor Irish Catholic family. But my grandmother though, she was something! She was like Jesus with the fishes & loaves. In her mind, there was always enough. Her table was open to all- friends, parents of our friends, neighbors, church members, and honestly people I don't even know where they came from. My grandma welcomed everyone with open arms to our table. It might not have been the most comfortable. We might have run out of chairs, clean dishes & silverware. We might have been in concentric rings of folding chairs around the table with littles underneath, and some in doorways & others even sitting on our stairs. Eggs, cinnamon rolls, soooo many potatoes and the everlasting ice tea pitcher were readily available. A table, a welcoming family full of love, laughter, and food. Though it wasn't much, it was everything.

Hearing of the world's loss of Anthony Bourdain, I went right back to my best memory of food; my grandmother's table. And I remembered hard & fast. It's not the quantity, even the quality, or how the table it set. It's about the people around (& under) the table. The love. The laughter. The tears. The real. The radical hospitality. The best of what food does- it gathers, humanizes, and nourishes our souls to help us remember we are not alone & all will be well. 

Until sometimes when all isn't well. When we do feel alone even among a group of people who may seemingly be living the dream. It is complicated. We are complicated. Let us use this moment in time, this significant loss of Anthony Bourdain, to remember not all is as it seems. Even when it does appear to be perfect, epic, creative, like the ideal dream job. Let us remember we are all tender, a bit fearful, carrying sadness, stresses, histories, and confusion like the rest of our brothers and sisters. Let us take care of ourselves, each other, and our communities. Not just phone numbers, platitudes, or prayers- I'm talking face to face, sleeves rolled up, two arm hugging kind of connection. Laughter, tears, sweat, breath- all that allows us to share our humanity, so we can touch the divinity. For it is remembering the divine within that gives us the courage and inspiration to live fully & completely into this complicated beautiful mess called life. The day of the lone warrior is over. As one, we are not a fraction of what we can be together. Now is the time of union, connection, care & compassion.  
 

So, between my grandma & Anthony Bourdain, what does little ole Dana do? She cries, scratches her head, pours a drink, shouts out swear words & searches for answers... WHY/HOW could this be possible? She begs for the pain of humanity to subside. Then she realizes all that just helped no one, including herself. So... what the eff now? The only other thing she knows in times of trouble... DO something with & for others Gather community together!

Join US at EmbodyGR Wed. June 13 for a night of a lil' yoga with friendly humans plus the added element of eclectic food (eclectic meaning whatever people bring to share). Let us come together around the centering force of community to remember the life of Anthony Bourdain to GATHER, MOVE, BREATHE, EAT & HONOR LIFE! Bring a dish to pass if you are inspired and able. If not, no worry. Show up & bring your heart(y) appetite! There is always enough mat space, food, love, and a seat at our 'table' to go around. Real people, real yoga, real food, and real talk. That is my plan- best I got. Won't you join? NO RESERVATIONS necessary! All are welcome! 

Feel Better Do Good,
Dana

P.S.
WE WILL BE IN THE TREEHOUSE!

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Upcoming Events

***WE ARE IN THE TREEHOUSE!

Wednesday, June 13 2018

What: EmbodyGR 
When: June 13, 6:30-8:00pm
Where: Fountain Street Church TREEHOUSE
Who: YOU - That is ALL humans & your 18+ peeps
Cost: FREE of charge
Ask: One hour of community service in return for each gathering you attend!

Let's celebrate & DO GOOD!​

Ongoing event! UPDATED NEEDS:
We are collecting donated goods for Dégagé! The list will change as the season does, so check in often to see what the new needs are. Please bring the following to a Wednesday gathering if you are able *please note, all items must be new*:
Current needs - Body wash (can be large bottles), rain ponchos, and belts!


June 14
Relax at Rosa Parks Circle With May Erlewine- FREE
When: Thursday, June 14- Noon-1:30pm
Where: Rosa Parks Circle
What: FREE lunchtime music featuring May Erlewine, Max Lockwood & Michael Shimmin

June 23
Grand River Water Festival- FREE
When: Saturday, June 23, Noon-10pm
Where: Riverside Park, Boat Launch #2
What: This not-to-be-missed FREE event features some of Michigan's finest folk, bluegrass, blues, klezmer, and roots music, featuring headliner Grammy-award winner Peter Madcat Ruth. In between bands are short informational presentations on environmental issues. Vendors, yoga, beer, food, music, and community!

“The heart of hospitality is about creating space for someone to feel seen and heard and loved. It's about declaring your table a safe zone, a place of warmth and nourishment.” 
​
~ Shauna Niequist