More and more of the same news each day. And yet I’ve been a news reader for most of my adult life. I try to be selective of my sources. I’m still distressed over the experts who are out of important jobs, leaving us less informed about weather systems and the safety of flying anywhere. Hospitals in rural areas are closing because of staffing shortages leaving the most vulnerable of our people without health care. Crops are languishing in the fields because of a shortage of farm workers, making everything more expensive if it reaches people at all. Medical advances are fewer because of the lack of important funding for research. A more recent piece of news is the manipulation of the Kennedy Center’s offerings. The new chair of the board isn’t by any definition an expert on the performing arts. Having been enchanted by performances there, I worry about its future, as well as its named tribute to a president important to its existence.

We are fortunate to live in a state that is accepting of all and has compassionate leadership, enabling residents to feel secure.  Our neighbors care about one another, our neighborhoods are safe, and our community is nurturing of its green spaces, That was a selling point for us as we sought a home part way between our teaching job locations.That was nearly forty years ago, and we are happy with the decision.  It is important to us to have family nearby, and to have children and grandchildren who are thriving. I’m sad that the political climate is so grim, but the checks and balances built into the constitution have long kept this country in a leadership position in the world. Right now, many foreigners are not happy with the U.S. It’s hard to watch a once compassionate country lose its way, becoming selfish and self-serving. That is not the country people of the world have come to trust, admire, and  depend on for its steadfast support. I can’t accept that we have gone so far away from that reputation. May we support one another in fighting for that ideal. We are better than this.