We are heading back to first principles. Here’s how. “Elect a candidate that represents what you value as a society.” I’ve been reading and reflecting on many comments written by people in Alabama. The People In their comments, people wrote about the election activities. They canvassed, knocked on doors, talked in conversations, and reminded people there was another way to vote other than going with their party affiliation.
There was a lot of genuine caring written in those short snippets. Doug Jones won because neighbors, friends, families asked each person to go out and vote for the person who was the best for the job. Many I am sure put their party affiliation aside.
The Media I am also concerned because I saw several claims in the media framimg the election result as a Progressive win. But is it though? I think it is more than that.
The Party In my opinion, there is a distinction: All party-affiliated voting is limiting. Partisan voting was for another time and place. Instead, voting for people who represent the core values of a 21st century America, regardless of their party, hue, beliefs, or gender will yield the positive change we are ready for. In 2016, we hit the rock bottom of party politics.
I am not diminishing the party system. I am pointing out that there is a call to action to remind us the party doesn’t trump the human running for election. We should vote for the person. The party will emerge as a composite of each elected person.
The Score
On the scoreboard between people versus parties, the people got another win.
Our parents are precious. The time with them is limited. And, life is always short. When I look back on this month, I'll be glad I took the time to call and to honor him on his birthday.
Daddy is like air -
He’s practical, sensible, dependable and not in your face, but he’s there. He is silly and tells terrible Dad jokes that make no sense. None. He finds his jokes funny. They are not. My sisters and I have been scolding him for his jokes since the 80s. Just recently, he was hung up on; the person thought they were dealing with a delinquent prankster. He said, in wonder to my sister, “I thought I was funny.” Oh dear.
"Girl, you think
you know
everything."
TOP LEADERS LOOK LIKE US, TOO
My Dad lived through Guyana's struggle for colonial independence from Britain.He told me a couple of months ago that the Prime Minister of Guyana would visit Montreal. Together, the recent emigrants would discuss the future of his homeland. So, that explains the picture of PM Forbes Burnham in our family photo album. As a kid, I would scoff at my Dad's false patriotism and say things like. “and who has a picture of their prime minster in a photo album, like you guys are friends or something!” He would just say, nothing or something like “little girl you think know everything.” But he never proved himself.
WE PLAYED TEA PARTIES ON HIS BACK WHILE HE NAPPED
PRESENCE AND GRATITUDE
Growing up, the best thing about our Dad was that he was there. When someone is like air, it is easy to forget to be grateful for how they are. You forget that you learned to fix cars and to be responsible for yourself. You forget that their back was the support for your tea parties and so many things. You forget that they kept a picture of a prime minister that looked like you so you would believe it was possible.
A wonderful day at the Pacific coast with my Dad
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“Isn’t your friend Martha 80 something?” Our son waited for confirmation.
“You are the same type of people, Mom." He smiled. “That’s why you are friends.”
Then, he paused in a moment of pensive reconciliation. “Didn’t know it worked like that — you know, getting along with people. Cool.” I didn't really get a word in. Plus, I was mesmerized by J's observation.
Our friends were exceptional in how their hospitality included everyone.
Bill, our host, entertained us playing jazz improv. Then encouraged our son to take over the keys and play his pieces and to improv as well.
Our tween had added to the discussion over a wonderful dinner. The gathering had exposed him to inter-generational friendship.
How often do we create opportunities for tweens and aged-experience adults to be in the same conversation?
It is important for these two generations of spiritual teachers to interact. J’s insight reminded us, as parents, that we all can learn from what is shared when friends across generations are in conversation with each other.