Ice Cream, Hugs, and Music

To say that the last few months have been tumultuous would be quite an understatement. Many of us have been angered, saddened, embarrassed, enraged, horrified, empowered, incensed, or some other big, strong, soul-rattling emotion. Perhaps many emotions all at once.

During these times, some of us have drawn closer to people we may have more in common with than we ever before realized, and many of us have found that some of those closest to us seem like strangers. We have had our feelings hurt, and we have hurt others' feelings. Sometimes without even knowing.

It's been rough. All of the hostility has been in the air for a while now. It has been defeating. It's been exhausting. And mostly, it's been disheartening.

Our bodies, minds, and spirits are beaten down, and oh, so very tired.

No one should have to apologize for standing up for something they believe in, nor should anyone apologize for standing against something they believe to be wrong.

What is it they say? If you don't stand for something then you stand for nothing.

But sometimes we need to regroup. To rest. To feel peace. To reconnect. 

Our souls need music, hugs and ice cream. Simplicity.

There are times the swirling needs to stop.

Sometimes you need to feel the warm water running over your wrist while you wash a dish with Bing Crosby singing in the background. 

Sometimes you need to notice the light reflecting off your son's eyelashes while he is talking to you on the front steps in the brisk fall air.

Sometimes you need to look at a strangers, right into their eyes, and give a real smile and have that smile returned. 

Maybe, like a friend of mine, you even need to tell the guy at Starbucks that your name is actually 'Shazam' so he will yell it when your drink is ready.

It's about to be December, which should be the most peaceful and holy time of the year. And if we allow all the static in, we won't be able to feel the magic of the season.

Whatever fight we have before us, whatever battle we need to wage, whether it is for something we believe in, or against something we don't...

That battle will still be there the first day of 2017. 

And maybe, just maybe, if we stop and regroup, by then, our path will look clearer and our spirit will be stronger and filled with renewed love and purpose for others and ourselves.

'Twas the Night Before the Election

'Twas the night before the election,

And all through Facebook,

Questions of Trump grabbing women, Or is Hilary a crook?

The poll workers were ready,

Tomorrow was the day.

One would have to be president,

There wasn't any other way.

The voters were nestled,

All snug in their beds,

But no one was sleeping, 

They were overcome with dread.

With Daddy in his red shirt,

And Mama in her blue,

We trudged to the polls,

Not knowing what to do.

When up near the voting booth,

There arose such a clatter,

I peeked ahead in line,

To see what was the matter.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But two voters fighting,

Their eyes filled with fear.

"But what about those tax returns!"

One of them shouted.

"So what's in those e-mails?"

The other one pouted.

More rapid than eagles,

The curses they came,

And they bellowed and shouted,

And called them by name.

But what about Benghazi,

And e-mails deleted?

Whitewater and 'Pay to Play',

She must be defeated!

You want a sociopath,

With our nuclear fate?

Who has a bromance with Putin,

And incites nothing but hate?

They went back and forth,

Until red in the face.

All eyes were on them,

Every voter in the place.

Finally they tired,

Running out of fight.

They both loved America,

This just wasn't right.

When all of this is over,

And the election finally ends.

These two will still be standing,

These two should still be friends.

After they finished,

Both casting their vote.

Neither looked happy,

They were in the same boat.

One walked toward the other,

It would all be okay.

He began clearing his throat,

And started to say,

We just need to stop,

We've been friends for years.

We need to stay kind,

In spite of our fears.

We can't let an election,

Tear us apart.

We both want what's best,

We're each following our heart.

As one turned to the other,

With a twinkle in his eye,

I leaned a little closer,

Though I didn't want to pry.

And I heard him exclaim,

Ere he walked out of sight,

"We can always just hope,

For a big meteorite!"