Carolyn G. Gallagher
Happy New Year! It is now 2022 – mid-term election year. For what do we have to be thankful?
We still have freedoms in America that many countries will never experience. Jesus Christ is still our Lord and Savior. Americans can worship without fear of persecution.
Up until Spring of 2020, Americans were free to attend any event, sit in a crowded group of people, and not wonder what anyone’s vaccination status was. Social distancing was not in our vocabulary. Neither was the question, “Have you been boosted?”.
My desire is to clutch all my pre-2020 freedoms to my bosom, and never surrender any of them. Remember “Two weeks to flatten the curve”? It has been an awfully long two weeks. Another one… “Get vaccinated or wear a mask until you do.”
Now we see pairs of feet measured every six feet near checkouts. It is like being in a strange Arthur Murray dance studio. Plexiglass in every business to separate customer from employee along with signs on chairs saying, “Do not sit here”.
Even though we are staring into the abyss of possibly being yanked into a war between Russia and Ukraine, or a war between China and Taiwan, Iran achieving nuclear weapons, North Korean missile strikes (with a high potential of reaching the U.S.), higher inflation, higher interest rates, indoctrination of our children in our public schools, and so on, Americans continue to find a thread of optimism. There is beauty in the world around us that is uplifting.
We cannot allow ourselves to be mired in all the negative press. Instead of being productive, we will become paralyzed. Let us remain informed, and proactive. Encourage one another. Take breaks from all the negative media. Go outside, take a walk, read something inspirational, call a friend, and get involved in community projects.
If you were alive in the 1960’s, you most likely felt some of the same emotions then as you feel now. Our world was in chaos with domestic violence in the streets, the Vietnam War was raging, women were fighting for their rights, and there was racial division.
My words of wisdom? Do not despair. Turn your doubts and fears over to God. Pray. Eat well. Love each other. We still live in the greatest nation on earth!
