My letter to San Francisco
Dear San Francisco, I didn’t know this about you when I moved here, but now I understand it more.
Okay. I sort of had an idea when I was reading the SF Chronicle May 2010 from our duplex in Missouri about Bay to Breakers and the option of wearing clothes. I had no idea the level of which you celebrate! And you celebrate every single holiday there is on the planet (Halloween, Pi Day, Sport Championship Victory, Lunar New Year, St. Patrick’s Day, Caesar Chavez Day, MLK Jr. Day), but now I understand it’s your way of letting us all in on each other’s cultural moments. It’s your way of loving each of us.
I’ve grown to love this about you…
I love how welcoming you are. I love that you’ll let someone open up a coffee shop, a group of people start a school, and another plant a church. You are for the immigrant, out-of-the-box thinker and the outsider. It’s as if you open your arms wider for the outcast, the troubled, the runaway. In some ways you are the city I believe Jesus would visit if He had a short time of ministry in America. I’m still figuring out how you’d respond to Him though.
While this is where I live, I’m still not okay with the
way we treat the homeless and hurting. Everyone who lives here ought to have their basic needs met and then a thorough examination of what needs to happen next. This requires using our resources well and offering jobs that bestow dignity and require accountability. Our tolerance has led to a systemic issue. I’m not okay with people abusing public transit and getting away with car break-ins and that’s just what’s visible to me. I’m not okay with the tolerance and think our city could use some tough love that says we will live life this way because we love you.
If I were to move away from here…
I’d miss the people. I’d miss the friends we’ve made in 10 years here. I’d miss seeing the people who are out and about on our routines. The man with the splash of red and the librarian headed down the hill. I’d miss my neighbors. I’d miss what we enjoy with friends - concerts, games, meals at our house, celebrations, small groups, and so much more. But it’s all about the people we’ve met here. Give a place time and gain people.
As I remain in this city by the bay, I promise to give this to the people of San Francisco…
My attention. My listening ear. My compassion. My “I’m with you.” I will give love and kindness and pray for you. I will hold onto hope that God is doing His part too! I promise to learn your name and speak it when I see you. I will read your name tag and call you by your name. I will smile at you, wave at you, and give you assurance that you have someone who cares for you. And if God has more than that for me to give you, I will give you that too.
Click on this link and you can write your own letter.
Now you can hear all of our letters in this time capsule we’ve created!
May 29, 2020 marks our family living sent and called to the city of San Francisco. To celebrate our 10 years in San Francisco, my publisher has Love Where You Live 40% and FREE shipping! This book is filled with many stories from the city and around the world plus practical ways - moving from the comfortable life, putting roots down, and loving a people!