Last Night I Had a Dream

I was leaving a costume party, and for some reason I was sporting a bushy black mustache.

On the way home, I had to stop at the DMV to update my driver's license photo. The problem was that every time they tried to take my photo, I smiled because the mustache made me look ridiculous. And the DMV workers did not want me to smile. 

But every time they told me not to smile, I started giggling. Because I looked ridiculous.

So then, in walks my sister. (Sorry, Laura. I do not control these things. You were wearing a green, off-the-shoulder peasant blouse and large hoop earrings. You looked pretty, and in my dream I told you so.)

Anyway, my immensely helpful sister said the problem was that the mustache was too bushy and I should just scrunch it together.

So, I scrunched it together. 

But then I looked like Hitler and EVERYONE in the DMV waiting area was laughing.

I mean, the place was out of control with laughter.

Finally I just ripped off the mustache (Yowza! that hurt!), took the photo (no smiling), and then we all went on our merry way.

THE END

P. S. Neither alcohol nor wacky tobacky was involved prior to bedtime. I feel the need to stress this.  I just have weird dreams.

Perspective

The other night we were watching the evening news with our seventeen-year-old son. Our home, which has always been a haven of safety and comfort, was bombarded with flickering images that were affecting our mood--the violence, rioting, protestors chanting, news anchors arguing, looters breaking store windows and setting fires. The tension, both from the screen and from those of us watching was palpable. And I thought ... no more. Every night our son is being told by politicians, news anchors, rioters, and so-called "leaders" that our country, our entire nation, is on the verge of collapse. NO. MORE. I turned off the television and talked about perspective and narrative. We discussed the issues as a family and decided we will not let the narrative be dictated by those whose only agenda is to drive ratings and score political footholds. Tonight ... we will watch The Chosen. 

Our conversation on perspective ... 

According to the latest statistics (2019), there are 328 million people living in the United States.

According to the latest statistics (2018), there are 19,495 incorporated cities, towns, and villages in the United States.

According to the latest statistics (2019), there are 697,195 law enforcement officers employed in the United States.

Despite news headlines claiming that the United States is in a crisis and that political, social, and economic division is ripping the country apart,

or the claims that systemic racism is rampant in all levels of our society,

or the headlines that paint every single law enforcement officer as racist,

or the images that suggest every city is plagued by riots and civil unrest and looting--

despite all these things, chances are you listen to news anchors and watch the news clips and think, "That's not my experience. That's not my country or my city. That is not me."

Because most of the 328 million people living in the United States are citizens who work side by side, play together at recess, socialize at parties, and worship at churches, synagogues, temples, or mosques. And they do all this despite differences in economic, social, political, racial, or religious differences. 

Because most of the 19,495 incorporated cities, towns, and villages in the United States are NOT Portland, Minneapolis, Seattle, Los Angeles, or New York City. 

Because most of the 697,195 law enforcement officers serving in these cities, towns, and villages do not have a hidden agenda other than to protect and serve.

So, while news outlets like to apply complex issues to the whole of America, these issues may not necessarily define your city, your police force, your neighbors.

Or you.

This does not mean that problems should not be acknowledged and that we should not step forward to be part of a collective change. As citizens, we carry the responsibility to promote the ideals of our country.

But the United States covers 3.8 million square miles, the land as varied, complex, colorful, and complicated as its people. 

When you limit your sight to the lens of a telescope, it is easy to lose sight of the whole.

GIVE, by Lorenzo Quinn

Perspective

The other night we were watching the evening news with our seventeen-year-old son. Our home, which has always been a haven of safety and comfort, was bombarded with flickering images that were affecting our mood--the violence, rioting, protestors chanting, news anchors arguing, looters breaking store windows and setting fires. The tension, both from the screen and from those of us watching was palpable. And I thought ... no more. Every night our son is being told by politicians, news anchors, rioters, and so-called "leaders" that our country, our entire nation, is on the verge of collapse. NO. MORE. I turned off the television and talked about perspective and narrative. We discussed the issues as a family and decided we will not let the narrative be dictated by those whose only agenda is to drive ratings and score political footholds. Tonight ... we will watch The Chosen. 

So, let us put things in perspective--

According to the latest statistics (2019), there are 328 million people living in the United States.

According to the latest statistics (2018), there are 19,495 incorporated cities, towns, and villages in the United States.

According to the latest statistics (2019), there are 697,195 law enforcement officers employed in the United States.

Despite news headlines claiming that the United States is in a crisis and that political, social, and economic division is ripping the country apart,

or the claims that systemic racism is rampant in all levels of our society,

or the headlines that paint every single law enforcement officer as racist,

or the images that suggest every city is plagued by riots and civil unrest and looting--

despite all these things, chances are you listen to news anchors and watch the news clips and think, "That's not my experience. That's not my country or my city. That is not me."

Because most of the 328 million people living in the United States are citizens who work side by side, play together at recess, socialize at parties, and worship at churches, synagogues, temples, or mosques. And they do all this despite differences in economic, social, political, racial, or religious differences. 

Because most of the 19,495 incorporated cities, towns, and villages in the United States are NOT Portland, Minneapolis, Seattle, Los Angeles, or New York City. 

Because most of the 697,195 law enforcement officers serving in these cities, towns, and villages do not have a hidden agenda other than to protect and serve.

So, while news outlets like to apply complex issues to the whole of America, these issues may not necessarily define your city, your police force, your neighbors.

Or you.

This does not mean that problems should not be acknowledged and that we should not step forward to be part of a collective change. As citizens, we carry the responsibility to promote the ideals of our country.

But the United States covers 3.8 million square miles, the land as varied, complex, colorful, and complicated as its people. 

When you limit your sight to the lens of a telescope, it is easy to lose sight of the whole.

United Nations, New York City (July 2018)

United Nations, New York City (July 2018)