Day 25- The New Normal

Holocaust Museum, Cary Street, Richmond VA.  Photo taken by Steven King

Dear Richmond,

The days are starting to run together to create one never ending Super-Day as we all are getting used to this "New Normal" and while it is hard, it is not so hard that I believe that we should not do it.  You see the country is starting to get antsy.  This past week has included Georgia and Florida reopening their states and beaches, Protests around the country where individuals are standing in the streets yelling for the country to open back up, and our President pondering during a live news briefing if we should consider injecting bleach as a way to combat the virus.   All of these responses are fear driven that are implemented under a false hope that we, as humans, have control.  

We have become weak.  We got used to our capitalistic lives where we can get what we want when we want it.  We are annoyed that we have to wait in lines, wear masks, social distance.  It has been 2 months- 2 months...that is it!  Walking through Richmond, Steven and I arrived at the Holocaust museum.  What a humbling reminder.

Members of the US are upset about not being able to eat out when at this time in 1942, the Jews were not able to eat at ALL.  A scrap of bread in a week was a treasure because lack of food was one of the many atrocities that they were facing.  We are forced to stay in our homes and they were forced into ghettos.  We cannot get haircuts and they were forcibly shaved bald.  We have to wear masks in public, they would have LOVED masks to help them survive the gas chambers. The perspective that this photo gave me was chilling. 

I do not mean that what we are surviving today is not hard.  It IS hard, our economy is taking a hit, our at risk populations are dying, and there are so many isolated individuals,  I am worried about our countries mental health needs.  AND while it is hard, we can take care of each other by being patient and staying home.  We can learn from the Holocaust survivors that humans are resilient.  We can and will survive this and the best way to do that, is to be part of flattening the curve.  If your neighbor cannot afford to eat and you can afford to feed them, feed them.  If you are healthy and can go grocery shopping for your elderly neighbor- do that.  We can take care of each other and stay home.  

Let's bring community back, lets take care of each other so that our health leaders can have room to fight this fight.  

Stay safe and well,

<3

Day 11- Another pretty face

Jefferson Park, Richmond, VA.  Photo by Steven, King

Dearest Richmond,

Today, you flirt with me.  Unbelievable how pretty you can be in the midst of absolute chaos.  This week was a hard one for our country.  The numbers rise, the death polls rise.  In the last few weeks we have lost two amazing artists- Bill Withers and John Prine.  JP died from Covid-19.  It seems as though noone is immune to Covid's chilling deathly grasp.

This gorgeous view of the city is taken from Jefferson Park in the corner of Church Hill.  While you have a beautiful face today Richmond you do not have a beautiful History.  While you are my home, what you represent to so many is a different story.  "The capital of the confederacy"  What a sad thing to be known as.  You see, no one is all of one thing and it is unfair to speak about the beauty of my home, with out also discussing its dark side.

The thing I love the most about Richmond is the diversity and I know it comes at a price.  I love where I live and at the same time I do not want to be part of the problem.   Gentrification overwhelms our neighborhood as we push our lower socioeconomic neighbors to the borders of this city.  Richmond has deep roots in racial inequity, racism, and even a hate for folks who have different life experiences than our own.

It is not okay, and I do see it as my responsibility to stand up to the things I see as I see them.
The fact that this world is as polarized as we have become makes it a dangerous world to express your personal experiences, thoughts, and differing opinions.  It is a brave act these days to stand up for what is right- especially if the "right thing" is not the trendy opinion at the time.  I think it is actually an even braver (and harder) act to have the courage to listen to someone who has a differing opinion than your own without getting defensive and waiting your turn to just tell them that they are wrong.  WHAT IF we all just listened instead of trying to push our own agendas?

I would love to live in a community where subsidized housing units are integrated within the blocks with single family homes.  This is what diversity really means.  Diverse of experience, age, gender, race, life experience.  Not a community driven by fear.  We spend so much time in this neighborhood putting each other on blast that we are not spending time listening to each other and understanding the experiences of our neighbors.  We must do better.  Just because something is uncomfortable does not mean that you should not say it or lean into it.  

In this time of uncertainty, I am trying to do my part to be the neighbor I would want others to be towards me.  I deeply hope that as we work towards healing as a nation we can heal more than just a physical disease, I hope we can start to heal our whole selves.

<3

Day 4- Spring has sprung

Canal Walk, Richmond Virginia. Picture's taken by Steven King

Dear Richmond,

How pretty are your streets?  Spring is here and you have brought your A game this year.  You have not a care in the world what ales humans as you live your best life.  Your vibrant personality punctures through the darkness that lingers in the corners of humanity.  It is impossible to be in your presence and maintain a bad mood right now.  What a pretty city you are.

The canal walk is beautiful as the weather lingers around 65 degrees.  The crowds are gone so there is a peace on the normally very busy and very loud historical trail through the city.  We wandered around the same walk we had done a thousand times before and with out the hustle bustle that usually litters and dictates our life, we were able to explore the intricate details and soak in the history that is the constant back drop of Richmond.

Photo by Steven King

How many times had we walked by a replica of your box, Henry Brown?  How many times had we missed the opportunity to truly sit in the presence of a story that is both super brave and such a reminder of the will of the human spirit.  Mr. Brown, you shipped your self from slavery in a box, you found your freedom and then moved to England.  You survived captivity, then survived the dangerous journey to Philly and then continued to thrive in a life you designed as your own.  Such a blessing to be given this gentle reminder Richmond.  Especially on a day I was feeling particularly sorry for myself.  Thank you for the opportunity to be humbled and reminded of the abundance and blessings in my life, RVA!

With gratitude and love,

R&S

(and Toby and Stella)

Day 2- Apocolyptic RVA

17th Street Market- Richmond, VA.  Taken week 2 of "social distancing".  Photo taken by Steven King

Dear Richmond,

Your streets are so bare.   Gone are the days of fruitful conversation, dancing in the square, beer trucks, festivals, and farmers markets.  You stay still, as a city lays in rest, waiting.  Waiting for the sickness that haunts the streets of so many of your cousin cities around the country.  We wait for the illness, we wait for the death, we wait for the heartache and the chaos and the unknown.  We wait.  And you, you lie still.  Desolate and patient as the city mourns the loss of the freedom and beauty that this town holds.  Our parks are closing, our streets are empty, and yet you hold a peaceful stillness that lingers the beauty of the past and the presence of a future.  

While your restaurants are closed to public, the food is still cooked.  While the parks are closed, there is still movement in their wake.  The streets may be empty, but the city is still present.  This market was once full of life and waits in rest until that day comes again.  I see not the city of sadness but a city of hope. 

As you rest and we rest, as we all contemplate how a new future can manifest, lets not yet forget the beauty of the past.  Tomorrow will bring a new day and with a new day is a new hope.  Sending love to the masses, always.

With love <3

Day 1 - Welcome to our home

Richmond Hill, Church hill Richmond VA  photo by Steven King

Welcome to the adventures of Steven and Rachelle (and Toby and Stella).  We live in the city and in our own world most of the time.  He sees the world through the lens of his camera, and I see it through the words and soul of this city.  We started this project months ago as he is the homebody and I am always looking for the next adventure.  I quit my job that I loved and prepared to move to CO where I thought I would find where I belonged.  When we started this project, I thought it would be a beautiful way to say good bye to Richmond.  AND THEN, I realized I was falling in love with this city all over again.  Steven, however, would love to stay in the RVA forever- he grew up around here and has always loved the city.  He has traveled the whole country, living in different spots along the way, and ultimately found his heart leading him back home to Richmond.  

When Covid-19 hit and the country collectively started to mourn the loss of the freedoms that we are used to, we realized that we needed a project more than ever.  It is week three of  "social distancing", however it is day 1 of a mandated stay home order from our Governor.   As a country we are all asked to stay home and stay safe in this time of uncertainty.  The beauty is in-between the lines- in between the news clips, briefings, numbers of cases and numbers of deaths. We hope to bring the beauty of our world to your world in this unprecedented time.  

We plan on sharing the beautiful pictures that Steven has taken over the last 8 months around Richmond and our goal will be to write one letter a day throughout this time at home.  Thank you for tuning in and be well everyone!

<3