What is sonder?
sonder
- n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.
-as defined by the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig
Where every person is a walking prism, awaiting a glimmer of light to help them showcase their uniqueness to the world around them.
Why does UpTown Sonder exist?
A message from the founder, Amber McCall:
Our life’s journey profoundly shapes our values and aspirations.
As I reflect on my early teens, my deepest desires were rooted in the simple yet profound longing for a family where love, peace, and joy were the cornerstones of our existence.
Sob story, boohoo, gag…right?! I love my parents (they are no longer with us) and my family and I believe they did the best they could given the resources they had. My point is that humans desire a particular sense of “family” that is typically positive and supportive without frequent negative drama and tragedy.
Unlike many, my dreams didn’t orbit around fame or wealth. Instead, my vision was grounded in the importance of community, where people, whether blood-related or not, were regarded as an extended family. What mattered most to me was the mutual support that binds individuals during challenging times and the shared celebrations of each other’s successes.
My little 12 year-old heart yearned for an environment characterized by joy, peace, stability, support, kindness, growth, and care. I envisioned a space free from jealousy, cattiness, sabotage, insecurity, scarcity, hate, disloyalty, and evil-heartedness. This vision fueled my desire to cultivate a community that embraces these values—a civil culture where members not only coexist but thrive in harmony.
In essence, my journey has been a pursuit of creating a space where people come together to support one another, have fun, and build lasting memories. The foundation of my dream community is centered on fostering a sense of belonging, where individuals contribute to each other’s well-being and celebrate the collective triumphs; hence, the creation of UpTown Sonder.
I understand the preciousness of time, and I appreciate you taking a moment to connect with my story. I believe that by sharing our experiences and aspirations, we can contribute to the creation of a more compassionate and supportive world.
Sincerely,
Amber McCall