TOGETHER WE SHALL THRIVE

With a birth certificate approaching 85 years (I’m not nearly as old as that piece of paper), I find myself longing for more time on this sometimes seemingly God forsaken planet. There is so much more to learn, and to do.

Yet, I then look to the condition of our political divides, and the apparent insanity afflicting about half our citizens, and I wonder, do I really want to go through what I think I see coming?

Yes, emphatically, I do. I want to be here with my children, my grandchildren and perhaps great grandchildren so we may support each other, cheer each other, and wade together through the swamp of devilish anger and hatred that is springing up all around us, until we again reach solid ground, where we can pitch camp, and stay for awhile, enjoying the beauty all around us, and perhaps write a poem, sing a new song, dance a new dance.

I will not yield to anger, much less hatred. I will oppose it with as much understanding, strength and love as I can accept, not fighting fire with fire (and just making the fire bigger) but doing all I can to truly understand and find the common denominator where those in conflict can see where we seek the same things for our country.

I realize that not all of those more extreme in their positions will ever realize a commonality with those they oppose. Extremes beget extremes, but the extremes do not define the much larger middle ground were most people dwell.