I have honestly not known what to say the last few days, because everything gong on in our country is sad. Amidst all the pandemic and fall out from that…we now have such unrest in our nation based around politics. I am not going to talk about who is Republican or Democrat….that ranks right up there with money and religion. My momma and daddy taught me to never question someone’s politics, religion and money. Although…as a human that can be very hard at times. I am so sad for our nation right now. I am sad for many reasons….but I don’t do well with confrontation and unrest. I never have. I do believe in right and wrong. Although each person’s interpretation of what is right and what is wrong are all different. I believe there is nothing wrong with that….even if I don’t agree with them. I have been so saddened by what has happened in our nation’s Capital. All I will say is that it is sad that the group of people that broke into the Capital building felt that was the only way for their voice to be heard. No matter what side of the aisle you are on or if you straddle both sides…this is sad. As a child my parents would always take my brothers and I on a educational family trip every few years. These trips were always somewhere poignant and meaningful in our nation’s history. We have visited Lincoln’s home, Gettysburg, Monticello (Thomas Jefferson’s home), Arlington Cemetery, the Eternal Flame of John F. Kennedy’s resting place, Mount Vernon (George Washington’s home), the Capital, White House, driving by the hotel where the Watergate scandal went down and the World Trade Center in New York City….which sadly is there no more. There were many other places that we visited. I am not listing these places to show off or be pretentious. But my parents worked their rears off and saved every penny they could to be able to take these trips with their kids. My momma would spend days making lists of what to take and what to cook to bring along with us. Yes….my momma would fry chicken and gather lunch meat, bread, chips, cereal and bake cookies is preparation for our trip. We stopped at roadside parks to eat and take a break from being cramped in our fashionable station wagon with wood grain panels. It had an 8 track tape player and John Denver singing in the background is the music I remember the most. Momma and daddy would do everything that they could to stretch the money as far as it could go. Momma studied all that she could on how much money we would need to get into every museum or monument that was on the list. I was generally always sandwiched in the middle of my older and younger brother. I am certain it was because I was always trying to be the ‘peace keeper’. But we did take turns occasionally with the coveted window seats. When we would first start the trips we were packed in like sardines and as the trip progressed more and more room opened up as we ate all the packed food. My daddy was the driver…or at least that is what I remember. I also remember that momma had the maps out and used them methodically. There were times that we might have gotten lost….but daddy all but refused to stop and ask for directions. It is worth a chuckle as I think back to those times….but it wasn’t funny at all at the time. But….back to my original thought. My parents took such pride in being able to take their kids on these trips….many of which would not be as appreciated then as they are now. My parents taught us to be proud of our country and to be respectful of our nation. Then in turn I taught my own children to love their country and to be appreciative of the freedoms that they have been given. My granddaddy (Peepaw) on my momma’s side, was big on history. I have such fond memories of listening to him talk with all of us about history, politics or world news….always around the dinner table….long after the food had been cleared. Sometimes, there would be debates and a voicing of opinions…but we always allowed everyone’s voice to be heard. I wish all of this craziness was just that simple. If you listen only to those with whom you already agree, there’s only so much you can learn. Take the time and effort to consider other points of view. Often you can learn from those with whom you disagree. If you respect them enough to listen and truly consider what they have to say. You can find the value in the thinking and opinions of others without compromising your own convictions. Each person with whom you interact with has a unique perspective. In that perspective is a golden treasure just waiting to be uncovered. Anyone who has an opinion can perpetuate a disagreement, but what does that accomplish? Rather that looking for a reason to disagree…..look for the value in all the differing points of view which you encounter.
“STRENGTH lies in differences…not in similarities”
