I had planned on not posting this week because after Tuesday night’s election results, no other topic seemed relevant and frankly, I didn’t want to talk about it. We have a new President-elect and while some people are celebrating, others are protesting. Nothing I can say here will be different from what you’ve probably already read in your Facebook and Twitter feeds over the past few days, so I wasn’t planning on adding to the deluge of social media commentary.
There’s an old adage that says you shouldn’t discuss religion, politics or money with company because it’s impolite, not to mention uncomfortable, emotional and personal. I generally follow that thinking and, as such, my blog is not a platform for political or religious debate. Whether or not the toilet paper should come over or under the roll and if November 1st is too early to start preparing for Christmas — Yes, we can argue about that (although the correct answers are over and yes, respectively). But who should be President? No. SIDE NOTE: I won’t be discussing my sex life or in-laws here either for two simple reasons: (1) My parents read this and if you ask my dad, he’ll tell you that I’ve had sex exactly twice, resulting in my two sons, and (2) my husband reads this and I’d like to remain married to him.
So back to the discussion at hand. If the election is the only pertinent topic this week and I said I wasn’t going to discuss it, then why am I still posting today? Because today is Veterans Day. A day to recognize, honor and thank the men and women who serve (or have served) in the U.S. Armed Forces to protect our rights and liberties as Americans. I will shamefully admit that I usually take this day for granted. Other than not getting mail delivered, it’s usually just an ordinary day for me. But this year, after all that’s transpired this week, it feels different. Today, Veterans Day made me stop and think: This really is the land of the free because of the brave. The land of opportunity, of democracy and of hope. And my hope — the one that I shared with my children — is that human decency prevails. That we start spreading love instead of hate. That we treat everyone fairly and with respect. That we fight for the people who can’t fight for themselves. That we learn and grow from our differences. And that we truly become “… one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
– LJDT
