New beginnings for the New Year, 2017 ended with twin
grandsons—joy of joys—and the realization that as a newly diagnosed cancer
patient some things would be different. 2018 was adjusting to new realities in
grand parenting and health care. Now adjusted, we begin 2019 refreshed.
Grandsons are one year old and the lights of our lives. Cancer treatment is
going well and tolerated so far with minimal side effects.
The state of the nation and world are another matter. Living
15 minutes from the world’s busiest land border crossing we see the effects of
mean-spirited and destructive immigration policies first hand. Many we know
have been volunteering to help the asylum seekers navigate their way during a
difficult time. There are no easy answers, but have the hardline policies of
the current administration really helped anyone? Your answer to that question
may depend on your politics. But the judgments of history will not be kind to
those who fail to support the most vulnerable in their time of need.
I post this (originally on Facebook) reluctantly because we’ve learned over the last
ten years that political postings on social media tend to upset people. Some
choose to ignore the political posts; others challenge or just “like”.
Promoting respectful dialogue is a positive value and my wish. Inspiring
hostile reactions is disappointing but an integral part of social media. If the
medium is the message as McLuhan asserted, social media is a bar fight
interrupted by savoring the “friendships” whether deeply rooted or just a
passing good feeling.
So that’s it for now from the lower left corner of America’s
map. Wishing everyone a good year ahead. Stay focused.
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