Grieving Season

I Remember...

In past years, I’ve written about February being my season of grieving having lost my mother, father, step-brother, and a dear friend in the month I call F*ckuary, but the past 30 days have been a whole new level. I’ve had a hard time even thinking about writing.

This morning I read a Facebook post by Charlie Wollborg reminding me what I’m grieving…the America I remember:

I remember when America was great.

When we stood up to despots and dictators. When we rushed to the aid of our allies. When we fought in the trenches to defeat fascism and communism.

I remember when we rejected monarchies and respected the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power. When we debated ideas and then worked together for the betterment of society. When there was right and wrong – not just right and left. When we were all Americans.

I remember when we never stopped pursuing a more perfect union. When we strived to right our wrongs. When we cherished the American ideals of democracy, liberty, opportunity, and equality. When expanded and protected the rights of others.

I remember when we built the middle class – along with planes, trains, and automobiles – and then transformed our manufacturing might into the arsenal of freedom. When we invested in education, discovered vaccines, and reached for the stars. When we innovated new technologies and invented new industries and stretched the boundaries of possibilities.

When we cared for others. We invested at home and around the globe to cure disease, provide clean water, end hunger, protect the wildness, improve the air quality, and raise the quality of life for everyone on the planet.

I remember when we led instead of bullying. When we united instead of divided. When we were optimistic about our future and our fellow citizens.

America is still great. Let's start acting like it.

Amen.