“And everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid. They’ll be safe in the nation we’ve made.”
-Lin-Manuel Miranda
Happy New Year, friends.
The day after the election, the thought of putting on pants seemed like a Herculean task. “What? Go outside? Where there are people? No thank you.” It felt like our bodies were made of mud, and the gasping sadness in New York (where we had landed only hours before the election) was palpable. But alas, we had tickets to Hamilton, and dragged ourselves into a sea of equally groggy theater-goers to make it to the show.
We watched the story of Alexander Hamilton, our “10 dollar founding father without a father,” unfold as he arrived under impossible circumstances in what would soon be the United States of America. This underdog immigrant would quickly help shape the newly free nation in ways we still feel today. And then George Washington is up there singing about his vision of this new country: where everyone (everyone!) could be “safe in the nation we’ve made.”
Holy shit. Excuse us while we dissolve into one oversized tear. This dream of the American forefathers is so epic: one where we should all be brave and good to each other and keep our neighbors safe. A stark reminder of the fact that in this new country under new leadership, it is even more imperative that we work together to care for the people who are most forgotten or in danger.
In years past, I’ve had the opportunity to work with refugees from all over the world, most of whom land in Seattle with only a beat up suitcase and enough strength to put one foot in front of the other. They have endured more than most of us will in ten lifetimes, and I was consistently humbled and amazed by their humor, work ethic, and the deep sense of humanity. What an honor, to be able to welcome them to their new country, the place they would be making better and stronger just by being here.
Moveable Feast, at its core, is a celebration of the simple beauty of gathering around a table with people and enjoying a meal. And we’re so excited to extend that idea in a tiny local way to deserving refugee families. On January 22, Moveable Feast is joining forces with Radici Restaurant, coco+kelley and Chef Greg Ehrlich to create a popup in Seattle for refugee families. Our amazing guests of honor hailing from Kurdistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo will join volunteers (maybe you!) to eat and be merry as we join hands to create a tiny version of the America we dream of: diverse, welcoming, and safe.
This intimate event is free for the families and volunteers, and in the 24 hours since we’ve launched this, we’ve been absolutely overwhelmed with the love and support of the community- we’re overflowing with volunteers. But we still need help! If you’d like to donate to Sunday Feasts, click here. And to sign up for the mailing list for future events, both international and right in your back yard, head on over to Moveable Feast Retreats.
It feels daunting, this new country. But we can do little things with great love, and keep our neighbors safe in the nation we’ve made.
-Laura, Tim, and Team Moveable Feast
