COLD and RED
It’s daybreak and there’s frost on the eaves. The western
sky is red and the color reflects upon the mirror that is the lake. There is no
wind and the birds are not yet awake. The only sound is that of a ticking
clock.
It’s the morning after the Presidential election and I feel
alone and empty. I miss my children. And yet, I don’t think I can face them
without offering an apology for the world into which we brought them. It’s a
world that apparently tolerates hatred, bigotry, misogyny and hypocrisy. A
world where surface-level information poses as knowledge, and intelligence and
truths remain buried and inconsequential. A world where the concepts of hope
and change are mocked and regression poses as progress. A world where the
masses are mesmerized by a reality TV star as they stare into their screens and
devices, while actual reality and the beauty around them goes unconsidered and unnoticed.
I’m sorry.
As low and sad as I feel on this serene morning in my quiet
and peaceful surroundings, I want you to know I believe there is still hope for
this world, and I beg you to hold onto it. I hope you will both do your parts
to make this world a better, more loving, more tolerant place.
I want you to spend the majority of your time LIVING your
life rather than watching it on TV or your phone. I want you to continue to
recognize bigotry when it presents itself to you and implore you to reject hateful,
judgmental and degrading acts or speech. I want you to be prepared to defend
yourself and others against these things. If you are rejected, I want you to
understand why and realize it was not the right option for you. I want you to find
a peaceful path that not only makes you happy but also makes the world a better
place.
Be kind to the earth. Continue to recycle and pick up trash
when you see it. When you buy your next cars be sure they are fuel efficient. Conserve
water. Install solar panels on your future homes. Grow food. Take care of your
bodies and maintain healthy diets—heavy on the veggies, my dears. And should
you have your own children one day, please take my mother’s best advice and
just LOVE them.
I don’t know what the next four years will bring to the
citizens of this country and the world in which we live, and I don’t think I
want to spend any more time trying to guess. I was so wrong in my predictions
and so let down by my community. So, I’m going to get back to focusing on my
lovely little lucky life and the family I love so dearly—especially the two of
you.
All my love,
Mom
2 comments:
Beautifully said, Michele.
Echoing your thoughts. Don't know what the next 4 years will bring but much prayers that our president-elect does and will have our country and citizens' best interest at heart and will himself change to make himself great to bring about the type of legacy that is fruitful and admirable. I sincerely hope he really recognizes the magnitude of his role and power that has potential to affect good and that this is just not another title he had to win. Let's wait and see with much prayers. :-)
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