56 Christina Smith I write this response one day after my birthday. The first one without my mom calling to sing me happy birthday in her silly way. She had a beautiful voice, but not necessarily a beautiful singing voice, which made the gesture that much more of a treat, and now a precious memory. So I answer this question in a sorrowfilled state, still mourning, still grieving. More than a month ago, I willingly and happily agreed to write this piece. At the time I was high on the idea of renewing a childhood interest in writing poetry, and imagined producing something mature, non-rhyming, and deeply poetic. That idea left the building as the deadline approached. So you have this essay instead. Essai, from the French: an attempt, a trial. Which is truly what this is. In a brief moment of worry that writer’s block might take over, the thought of using AI crossed my mind. But between the visual of water bottles wasted with every prompt-response exchange and How can we restore and reimagine our relationships to our rivers and coasts? Distillation Guidebook Co-Lab • 9.18–9.19 2025 Former Executive Director of Groundup Bridgeport, former Executive Director of Groundwork Bridgeport, on waterfronts as places of solace, connection, and everyday restoration.
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