Bye Bye

Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something is worth doing no matter how it turns out. 

Václav Havel

Before we pull a Dame Lillard and wave bye bye to 2019, we are embracing a time of hibernation to stare into the rear-view mirror. As it is with every year, this one has had its highlights and hard times. 

In January, we facilitated conversations around Tom's book from San Clemente, CA to Victoria, BC. Then we celebrated our 14th anniversary in Corvallis, OR (where Tom's parents met in 1963) and got our first tattoos. 

In March, we moved out of Michigan and pitched our tents in Central Oregon. 

In April, fifteen hours after the greatest Oregonian hit his 37-footer at the buzzer, our nephew Milo Brooks was born three hours away in Bend. A pretty good day. 


In June, we worked the Sisters Rodeo and ran in the first annual Bend Pride 5k. 

In July, we floated the Deschutes River about 100 times.

In August, we traveled south to grieve the loss of Lindsay's cousin Annie and her mom Julie and aunt Elizabeth. 

In September, we found ourselves back in Detroit, facilitating an immersion learning trip with dear friends from Southern California. 

In October, we journeyed to Maryland to celebrate Love at the wedding of our friends Lydia and Leah. 

In December, we were back in Southern California for a Board meeting, an early Christmas and time with the nasty nephews! 

These were some of the trail markers on the way to more transformation and healing. More than anything, we cherish what therapist Francis Weller calls "the primary satisfactions:" 

We can find them in our friendships,
by spending time in nature, and
by risking being vulnerable with someone we trust.

This is just about everything. People. Pouring out our hearts. Percolating with trees, deer, the river, the mountains on running trails and inner-tubes. Tom would add writing. Lindsay would add groaning for justice of the more oral tradition variety. We would both add pure mischief with the nephews.

In Whidbey Island, with a beloved community curated
by our friends and mentors Marcia and Clancy Dunigan.

It's Tattoo Time!

In March, we took care of our first arrests in Lansing.
We paid a fine for nonviolent civil disobedience.

One last celebration at Sidetrack in
Yspilanti, MI before our move in March.

The car is packed up and ready for launch.
(shot taken in March, though could apply to most months this past year - this Camry knows grit!)

In Denver, with the godchildren!!

In May, we hit the Deschutes River trail
with our dear friend Peter Nilsen-Goodin, a brilliant
music teacher from Portland.

In April, Nephew Milo arrived! Finally...

In May, Lindsay traveled back to Detroit to celebrate
Cait De Mott Grady's law school graduation,
where she also had the chance to connect
with dear collaborators and friends.

In June at Bend Pride.

In July, with our new Bend friends
Vinny and Matthew Detweiler.

In August, a memorial to Lindsay's
cousin Annie in Encinitas, CA.

In August, with dear friend Kateri Boucher
in Detroit!! #twinning

We interviewed Rev. Roz Bouier at the food pantry she
operates in the Brightmoor Neighborhood in Detroit.
She brought us to church, to put it plainly.

Lindsay (background) works out at
 the Bend Beer Festival.

In early September, Tom hiked South Sister in OR.
The view from the summit!

The Lamont family boot camp Lindsay organized this past summer!!

Nephew Milo growing up already...

With Jenn Svetlik, Sheldon Good, Ezra and Magda in Lansdale, PA.

22 white boys with Civil Rights Movement vet Ruby Sales.
The topic: a spiritual journey for white men in America. 

Just another Skype call with Jenn and Sheldon.
A story about rats sends Lindsay straight into her pain cycle.

Cascadia. Lichen it. 

An adventure day celebrating these boys' birthdays,
which included a stop at South Coast Plaza to ride the reindeer, before we left
Orange County in December! Gotta keep it real.