Strengthening Relations

by Meghan Eaker

So far our rites of passage include 

Feeling safe enough to cry together

This is Accompanied by an imaginary award

That is really just a feeling of belonging

Of being held

By distance

In a circle

Some would call us a collection of co-workers

Research assistants

investigators

Community organization representatives

Research participants

but we call each other

nowahkamanak

Because we are all related

and this work of being in community together

is not a job

it’s how we survive

and thrive