I was never a huge Glee fan. As a matter of fact, I could probably only tell you maybe 2 people who were on the show.
Like you, I’ve read the tragic reports of the search and now confirmed death of Glee star, Naya Rivera. She struck me as such a beautiful soul. The fact that her last post on IG was a picture of she and her son with the caption, “Just the Two of Us”, gave the viewer a glimpse into the indisputable connection between mother and child. Even more precious and heartbreaking, is knowing this boy will have to grow up without this Mother Bear!
It is presumed that this is NO suicide. That while swimming, the boat drifted and she was able to get them back to the boat, found the strength to push her son inside but did not have the strength and energy to get herself into the boat! It is a tragic set of circumstances but again, Mother Bear instincts will cause you to lift a CAR if you feel your baby is in danger of it!!!
Here’s what stood out to me!!!
THIS.....
This picture right here!!!!! (See below)
This picture of the cast of Glee, joining hands at the edge of the water..... This symbol of her friends calling to her in unison.... I don’t know what they are saying.... most likely they are praying but maybe they are all standing silently with thoughts of her.... Maybe they are “will”-ing her to come out of the water....
Whatever they are doing...this display of unity right here...THIS brought me to tears....
.... Aside from the absolutely heartbreaking event of losing a friend... It was the SOLIDARITY....that spoke to me!
Being surrounded by your co-workers who have become your tribe...your “ride or die”.... your people (peeps).... this is what captivated me!! In all of the work situations I’ve been in over the course of my career.... I’ve had maybe one other person.... maybe two.... but to have....an entire team of love and support? That has only happened once in my entire career....
It is the power of togetherness: the power of “teamwork”. It is the power of belonging; of FAMILY! That’s it!! That is what this picture represents to me; family. The fact that you could have a team of people whom you work with that would rally around you long after you ceased working together is truly remarkable. How many of us can say that? Maybe one former coworker, maybe 3 former co-workers, but an entire cast of people who know that, “when one of us hurts, we ALL hurt”?! Now that is rare!!
For those of you wondering “where’s my tribe?” …… Let me assure you, they’re out there. There are folks who value your contributions to the team. They admire your work ethic and stand up for you in rooms where you are not present. They send emails to cheer you on. They are willing to have hard conversations with you about issues related, as well as unrelated to work. Topics such as: faith, gender challenges, race & culture. They roll up their sleeves for “heavy lifting” (literally and figuratively). They provide support to you and the team for meetings, projects and assignments. They don’t “fake the funk”…… LOL! They rally around you, not just for “show” or appearances, but to do whatever it takes to get the job done!! Lastly, the most essential way your teammates, your “work-family” provides support for you is in the creation of safe spaces for the team, as a whole. Now, this doesn’t mean that “hearty” discussions do not take place. In fact, when the space is sacred, hearty discussions produce healthy results. ULTIMATELY, you’ll know the space is sacred when leaving the conversation or space doesn’t mean…. feeling as if you NEVER want to go back there again… Now, I may be “in my feelings” at that moment, but tomorrow is a new day and I cannot imagine NOT coming back to this space ……
Conversely, I have worked in spaces where I didn’t even want to venture in the door, LITERALLY. I have taken deep breaths in the parking lot and even parked the car only to start it again and leave to allow me time to collect myself! These spaces were not healthy and by that I mean, the team wasn’t healthy. A team member alone, not so bad but the few members that were “energy suckers”, infused that negativity into the entire space. These spaces were toxic. The negativity was palpable. My allies were always outside of these spaces and that is what kept me sane. However, I learned some of the best lessons during these seasons. It took me a minute, but I learned how important “self-care” is for me. I learned in those seasons to be my own cheerleader! Though initially exhausting, I learned that excellence and efficiency was the BEST deterrent to toxicity! I learned I don’t have to attend every argument I’m invited to attend. The MOST important thing I learned was that my time in those spaces MUST have an expiration date. You cannot stay in these spaces, “indefinitely”!
Soooo back to this picture……In the end, as reported, Naya was indeed found shortly after this picture was taken. It’s truly heartbreaking!! But the moment captured here, speaks to the comfort and support this team have and will continue to provide for each other. This team, this family, will weather the storms ahead, together….Standing in Solidarity.
