How Can I Help?
Toward the end of our time living in Brooklyn, my husband and I inherited his Grandpa’s old car. It was a 1998 maroon Buick Century - the epitome of a Grandpa car. After living in the city without a vehicle for 4+ years, having a car, any make, model, or year, was an amazing treat (aside from alternate side parking but hey what are you gonna do?). We often drove it upstate for hikes, swimming holes, or camping trips and never once felt self conscious parking it among the more outdoor appropriate vehicles. We were just excited to have it.
Another great part about inheriting the car was inheriting the items in it. Among them: an inexplicable number of umbrellas, quite a few cassette tapes, including some that were home recorded and labeled simply as “Barbara in the 80s” (Streisand obviously), and a small paper sign that unexpectedly became a guiding philosophy for life.
On one side, SEND HELP in bold, block letters. On the other, instructions for using the sign ‘to get help’ or ‘to give help’. Obviously a relic from the days before cell phones, we found it amusing and brought it into the apartment to display. As time went on, it started to develop a more layered meaning, serving as a reminder to both get help and to give help beyond just car trouble.
For much of 2022, my Co-Star has read - ‘the broader focus of your life during this time is to overcome feelings of alienation by breaking down the wall between yourself and others.’ Every morning when I saw it I’d laugh to myself - I heartily agree that has been the prevailing theme of the last 12 months.
It’s easy to have a narrow view of what help is or what it means. That it means to do something for someone, or to give something to someone. It can mean those things. It can also mean to listen to or see someone. Help can be an opportunity presented or a challenge given. It can be advice. It can be an act of service. It can be the sharing of a new idea that leads to a different way of considering things. Whatever from it takes, it requires connecting with someone, opening yourself up enough to understand what they might need and how you may be able to help. Or, more often, the other way around - allowing yourself to be known so that someone may see what you need. Breaking down the wall between yourself and others, perhaps.
‘We’re not so much helping out, then, because it’s “me” needing to tend to “you”. We’re helping out because it’s “Us”.
- Ram Dass, How Can I Help?
2022 was a year of extreme discomfort and growing pain. It was the year I became a teacher, learning how to get up in front of a group of people to lead, guide, and yes, to help. It was a year I came to know myself so much better and, as a result, allow others to know me better too. I’m coming out of this year feeling much, much more connected to those around me - my people and communities. I hope for more of that for us all in 2023.
Best of 2022
I finally updated my website this year - complete with new projects and nice photos. Below are a few of my favorite projects from the last 12 months, but take a scroll through everything here - and reach out if you have an illustration projects in mind - hey@sunnyeckerle.com.
Parting Words
Reading
The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli
Reality Is Not What it Seems by Carlo Rovelli
Watching
The Sopranos (HBO)
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (Netflix)
Listening
Making playlists for barre has dramatically altered my music taste/habits lately…