This morning we did our thing. In some ways there were very few surprises. There were regulars, newbies, Tantek’s convertible, and Nikhil getting lost trying to find #earlygang. Plus I had to modify Paddy’s burnout. All standard stuff really.
But one of the coolest things about today was the silent support we lent to other parts of the November Project community. Very recently, our family to the south, NP LAX, lost one of their tribe’s core members after a ferocious fight with brain cancer. All I know of Sean Early (pictured below) is what I’ve read from others who knew him well. He was, by all accounts, beloved in the LA tribe. A hard worker and an inspiration, he was a particularly strong resource and voice for the LA tribe’s LGBTQ members with his saying “Fuck them. Be you.”
I love that saying. There’s real wisdom even in its simplicity. It also makes me think of our own loss, still felt, with our girl Sam Dweck. Sam was passionately herself and an inspiring positive influence on others–in NP and far beyond. That’s why it was extra meaningful and special to see so many of you today, most of whom I can only assume didn’t know Sean either, wearing grey t-shirts today in support of our NP LA family–just as other tribes had supported us when Sam passed away. In fact, a ton of cities celebrated Sam today with backwards hats (and a good hard workout).
Days like today remind me that we’re doing more than working out together. We’re building a fiercer and stronger network of support. I remember when we watched Dooster’s documentary, Showing Up, and one of the things Ryan (the filmmaker if you don’t actually know him) said was that in traveling to different tribes and hearing stories, one of the constants was that people showed up and didn’t know if they were giving strength, drawing strength, or both from attending workouts. The truth is, in any good community, it should be both. The scale slides and moves, but today, we gave a lot of strength. And it made me proud to be a part of NP with all of you.
It also made me so happy to have Richard Dweck, Sam’s dad, shooting photos this morning. I know days like today continue to feed Sam’s memory for him, myself, and others that were close with her as well. Thanks for being a part of it. Thanks for showing up.
Friday
- Vulcan St. Stairs. We’ll drop a pin tomorrow.
- Wear a backwards hat in celebration of Sam Dweck #FastAsSam
P.S. Today really made an impact. If you don’t believe me, check out the post from LA’s co-leader below.
