A List of Things We Love: Written by L’Arche Chicago Assistants
I love being changed by what others had rejected. I love that terrible kitchen and the lovely time wasted there. I love a waist-high wave, seeing the mother he learned it from. I love a raspy “I don’t know.” I love those bedrooms, new faces, old pillows, new love. I love “no worries.” I love crying, the outstretched hand, a paper towel’s all we got. I love finding another way. I love sleepy eyes around breakfast, morning hair, morning faces. I love not being able to hide my feelings, can’t stand not being able to hide my feelings. I love joking until I stop feeling down. I love how the core members have conversations with one another. I love how people who love their families make you feel like family. I love song and dance bursting around me. I love a group garden. I love “get over here,” love, “where’s my hug?” I love an unfair arm-wrestling match. I love a “come here” with one finger. I love cards in the mail, welcome signs, birthday banners. I love the love at funerals. I love coloring desk stains. I love not leaving without a proper goodbye.
I love John singing an Irish lullaby. I love singing together, not knowing the starting note. I love Mama Wolf protecting her wolf pack. I love the warmth in St. Joseph House dining room when there are too many people in it to move. I love the smiles and words of welcome when I come to a home to visit. I love that each home is a sanctuary of belonging for those who live there.
I love how much Tim hates Starbucks. I love nothing more than making Lisa laugh. I love the simultaneous fear and peace of a ride drive. I love the way certain songs remind me of Elbert and how they always play at the perfect time, like he’s always looking out for us. I love how boldly John lies and the way he smacks his hands to his face when you catch him in one. I love when Chris whispers, “I miss you Evangeline” after we’ve been together for hours.
I love seeing Andrea watch Love Island. I love “Good Morning!” at 3pm. I love Jean saying, “There’s my sister/brother.” I love when Davey is excited to go somewhere, but then he spends the event on his phone signing human rights petitions. I love Casey’s smile when he does mischief. I love Davey talking about banning things/politicians he doesn’t like (potatoes). I love meeting Jean’s toys and repairing them. I love watching Harry Potter together. I love when Davey calls his dad on Facetime and you can overhear his Young Ted impression. I love when Andrea shows us a funny video on her phone, one by one. I love when Jean describes what she’s watching with her headphones in. I love the heated toilet seat on the 1 st floor. I love hearing Jean talk about her friends in heaven – like when it storms and she says they are bowling up there. I love the jokes and laughs we share.
I love that there’s a dog here because dogs are my favorite people. I love stories that may or may not be true. I love Noah’s jokes that always stay the same. I love telling Anders to wear sunscreen and him always comes home a little burnt and a little proud. I love John’s belly laugh. I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but never as much as Johno.
I love the way people often turn to the person next to them during check ins and ask “how are YOU?” I love when Jean rides her bike “Big Red” to the office or Davey stops by or anyone drops in and the work doesn’t get done because there’s more important things to do. I love how much practice and discussion it took us to write this poem. I love the awkward silences during celebration nights when everyone is quietly thinking kind thoughts about a particular person. I love that so many people in community say “Mama Mia” and “Oh gooooood” and “kinda personal!” I love being in a place where we value people over tasks, presences over efficiently and life over work.
I love being in a place where people love so well and so much.