Zachary & Beth Travel Fund

I don’t entirely know how it happened. Maybe it was luck. Maybe it was something more. Like God. Or fate. Or the universe. All I know is this: I got a notification on my phone. An OkCupid match from halfway across the country. Then came freezing temperatures and a broken heater. I spent a week stranded in the house. My car key had gotten buried somewhere beneath the ice and snow. But I didn’t care. Because she was on the other side of the computer screen.

Let me tell you about Beth. She is an incredibly talented artist who loves the world in profound ways. She understands that hope is a discipline and joy is an act of resistance. She feels like home. And harbor. Her smile lights up the night sky.

After spending some time with her in Florida, I’m back in Arkansas now. And missing her. And thinking about how to get back to her soon. As some of you may know, I work as the Executive Director of decARcerate, a small nonprofit working to end the prison industrial complex in Arkansas. At a time when Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is working to expand prison and grow the carceral state, the work of decARcerate is more vital than ever. While these responsibilities often require me to be physically present in Arkansas, my role also allows the flexibility to work remotely from time to time.

Because Beth is disabled and housebound, she is unable to relocate or travel to Arkansas. And, so, I’m dreaming of ways to split time between Florida and Arkansas.

Perhaps you remember what its like to be far from the one you love. Perhaps you have some spare change. If so, I hope you’ll consider donating to our travel fund.

Frequent flyer miles and travel tips also welcomed.