Dear friends,
Remember my plans for a restful August?
Well, the universe had a very different vacation in mind for me.
As many of you know, my husband Kimo’s family is from the island of Maui and on August 2nd, we left Boston bound for a vacation in Lahaina. We took this great family picture on our first morning and a few days later much of the island we love was destroyed by fire.
We were very lucky. Although we were stuck in the massive traffic jam that contributed to the tragedy, we got out before the fire started. We were on the other side of the island when the hurricane scattered embers across Lahaina. Thousands of people on western Maui were not as lucky. They lost their homes, their jobs, their friends, their lives.
Being involved in a tragedy, even tangentially, impacts people in many ways. It can split us apart or bring us together. It can make life feel chaotic and overwhelming or super simple. My family took on the challenge of living in a truck for three days with a sense of gratitude and adventure. We talked a lot. We wandered. We played weird games in Walmart. We argued. I sketched a lot. Overall, it inspired us to love each other and feel thankful.
As you climb into bed tonight, you can share in some of that gratitude. Create a moment of appreciation for the luxury of the bed, the home, the life you are blessed to have and the people you are lucky enough to love. That gratitude can fuel art and lots of other actions too.
HOW YOU CAN HELP THE PEOPLE OF MAUI
Friends, there is tremendous need on the island. It is impossible to feel the scale of this tragedy through a 15 second TikTok clip or an 8 x 10 newspaper photo. There are two charities I’ve chosen to support. I hope you will join me in these efforts:
Consider participating in Artists For Lahaina. This online art auction is collecting and selling artwork to support local artists living and working on Maui. I will be bidding and I hope you will too!
Maui Family YMCA - This was a haven for us during the early days of the fire and it is a place where many people find assistance for challenges and fuel for their aspirations. You can donate directly to the YMCA or to one of the relief agencies listed on their website.
I know our community is filled with wonderful people. Together we can make things a bit better for struggling artists on the other side of the world.
