Don't Get Me Started with Linda Sharp

More Kids In Santa's Sleigh!

Hi everyone - I hope this finds you slowly emerging from your Thanksgiving weekend food coma and looking forward to a wonderful week ahead.

On Thursday when I wrote my Thanksgiving piece I included the story of four children being raised by their selfless grandmother, but as it was at the bottom of that piece, I did not want it to get lost to the tryptophan and busy week ahead.  In a world where so much attention is given to the most horrid of humans among us, people like this grandmother get lost in the shuffle.   

I have been listening a lot to the first Tony winning musical by Lin Manual Miranda, In The Heights (yes, he had amazing musical life before Hamilton), and this song pulls at my heart every time.  Alabanza, about the neighborhood abuela (grandmother) who passed away - a woman who, well, here are the most profound lyrics:

Abuela Claudia had simple pleasures

She sang the praises of things we ignore

Glass Coke bottles, bread crumbs, a sky full of stars

She cherished these things

She'd say "Alabanza"

Alabanza means to raise this thing to God's face and to sing Quite literally "praise to this"

Your choice of faith, religion, a pull towards love and light rather than orthodoxy, matters not - we are all capable of Alabanza.  We are all capable of lifting something, someone up and singing their praises.  This abuela is one of those people.  This grandmother is exactly who we need to highlight, raise up, be thankful for, and emulate. 

THEIR STORY

Hi Linda,

I know you’ll redact as necessary, but here is the long/short version of <name redacted's> story:

<----> has had her four grandchildren for most of their lives. J is 13 and came to live with his grandma when he was fairly young; S is 8 and has been with her grandma most of her life as well; Gramma’s house is the only home A, now 5, had known. R will be 3 in January and came to live with his grandma not long after he turned 2. Their mom has a history of mental health problems and is estranged from <----->. There was never a formal arrangement made, and <------> has been supporting these kiddos without any help from the state other than medical and daycare for the kids.

In the spring of this year, <------>’s daughter somehow convinced a judge that she should have custody of her kids. This judge, with whatever lack of good judgment (no pun intended), decided that not only should she have her kids back, but that she should stay in <------>’s apartment with the kids, and <------> should pay the rent and utilities for her as well as move out, leaving everything but her clothing.

Needless to say, everyone that cares about her and her grandchildren were flabbergasted. <------> was able to convince a different judge to return control of her apartment to her, but the daughter took the kids and left. This was early spring.

The children were returned to <------> by Child Protective Services in September when they were found living in “the jungle”—a homeless encampment in Seattle that has been constantly in the news due to the high incidence of crime—murders, drugs…

The children were in horrible shape physically—dirty, scared. A even had an untreated broken arm. These kids have seen things that would make adults have nightmares. <------> has missed more work than she has been here, as the kids have needed a lot of attention. Our employer allows staff to share their sick leave in some cases, but because the kids have been officially placed with <------> as a foster parent, she is not allowed to apply for shared leave. She is not able to receive federal food assistance, either.

Needless to say, this family could use all the help they can get. If this family could be helped with a few small items for the kids, I’m sure it would brighten the holidays for them, and ease <------>’s mind. I’ll get a few gift ideas as well as clothing sizes to you as soon as possible.

Thank you!

DGMS Family Member 

I spent time this past weekend elfing for the children and will continue today.  We are also anticipating another family joining the sleigh this week as well - more details as they are provided to me.

Your donations are being made to beg for mercy through endless searching for the best prices, coupons, free shipping, and imagination!  Example - OldNavy.com on Black Friday - I was able to get warm clothing for all four children, 40% off everything, free shipping, tax included, for only $93.  AND I earned $50 in Old Navy bucks to begin using for more elfing tomorrow!

Do we have room for more in Santa's sleigh?  That is completely up to you!  Spread the word!

On Thursday when I wrote my Thanksgiving piece I included the story of four children being raised by their selfless grandmother, but as it was at the bottom of that piece, I did not want it to get lost to the tryptophan and busy week ahead.  In a world where so much attention is given to the most horrid of humans among us, people like this grandmother get lost in the shuffle.   

I have been listening a lot to the first Tony winning musical by Lin Manual Miranda, In The Heights (yes, he had amazing musical life before Hamilton), and this song pulls at my heart every time.  Alabanza, about the neighborhood abuela (grandmother) who passed away - a woman who, well, here are the most profound lyrics:

Abuela Claudia had simple pleasures

She sang the praises of things we ignore

Glass Coke bottles, bread crumbs, a sky full of stars

She cherished these things

She'd say "Alabanza"

Alabanza means to raise this thing to God's face and to sing Quite literally "praise to this"

Your choice of faith, religion, a pull towards love and light rather than orthodoxy, matters not - we are all capable of Alabanza.  We are all capable of lifting something, someone up and singing their praises.  This abuela is one of those people.  This grandmother is exactly who we need to highlight, raise up, be thankful for, and emulate. 

THEIR STORY

Hi Linda,

I know you’ll redact as necessary, but here is the long/short version of <name redacted's> story:

<----> has had her four grandchildren for most of their lives. J is 13 and came to live with his grandma when he was fairly young; S is 8 and has been with her grandma most of her life as well; Gramma’s house is the only home A, now 5, had known. R will be 3 in January and came to live with his grandma not long after he turned 2. Their mom has a history of mental health problems and is estranged from <----->. There was never a formal arrangement made, and <------> has been supporting these kiddos without any help from the state other than medical and daycare for the kids.

In the spring of this year, <------>’s daughter somehow convinced a judge that she should have custody of her kids. This judge, with whatever lack of good judgment (no pun intended), decided that not only should she have her kids back, but that she should stay in <------>’s apartment with the kids, and <------> should pay the rent and utilities for her as well as move out, leaving everything but her clothing.

Needless to say, everyone that cares about her and her grandchildren were flabbergasted. <------> was able to convince a different judge to return control of her apartment to her, but the daughter took the kids and left. This was early spring.

The children were returned to <------> by Child Protective Services in September when they were found living in “the jungle”—a homeless encampment in Seattle that has been constantly in the news due to the high incidence of crime—murders, drugs…

The children were in horrible shape physically—dirty, scared. A even had an untreated broken arm. These kids have seen things that would make adults have nightmares. <------> has missed more work than she has been here, as the kids have needed a lot of attention. Our employer allows staff to share their sick leave in some cases, but because the kids have been officially placed with <------> as a foster parent, she is not allowed to apply for shared leave. She is not able to receive federal food assistance, either.

Needless to say, this family could use all the help they can get. If this family could be helped with a few small items for the kids, I’m sure it would brighten the holidays for them, and ease <------>’s mind. I’ll get a few gift ideas as well as clothing sizes to you as soon as possible.

Thank you!

DGMS Family Member 

I spent time this past weekend elfing for the children and will continue today.  We are also anticipating another family joining the sleigh this week as well - more details as they are provided to me.

Your donations are being made to beg for mercy through endless searching for the best prices, coupons, free shipping, and imagination!  Example - OldNavy.com on Black Friday - I was able to get warm clothing for all four children, 40% off everything, free shipping, tax included, for only $93.  AND I earned $50 in Old Navy bucks to begin using for more elfing tomorrow!

Do we have room for more in Santa's sleigh?  That is completely up to you!  Spread the word!

So Much To Be Thankful For

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our blogmunity members and guests who are finding their way here through the sharing of links this holiday season.  I certainly hope our guests will discover what makes DGMS so special - the open hearts, care, kindness, yes - large amounts of snark, frank discussions, and ever present warmth - and decide to stay.  

This morning as I wake up in a house with only one child, it would be easy to focus on what is missing - my amazing husband, my oldest daughter who is following in her parents' hospitality footsteps and working her front desk in Denver, and any of our extended family.  (Kendall is currently driving home from Dallas.)

Our family is used to being dispersed, but being used to a weird normal does not make it easy or shrug offable.  Yet as we all wake in our separate places today, we do it knowing our hearts are in the same one - together - knowing that we will all be joined again at some point to hug, celebrate, eat too much, and simply be happy to be breathing air in the same zip code.

So this morning, in the quiet of my house, here is what I am thankful for -

~ Another sunrise.  In a world where uncertainty reigns, and death touches so many innocents, I feel the privilege of watching the sun color the sky.  Standing on the back patio while Oreo offered her own morning "greeting" to the world, I stared at the colors, listened as the birds awakened, and breathed the cold air into my lungs, grateful to be doing so. 

~ My son, still asleep.  I have a son.  A secret the universe kept for 18+ years, but who I now revel in, laugh with, and admire more with each passing day.  He is my hero.  I am thankful for him making me smarter, showing me that I will always have more to learn, for his patience, his strength, his talent, his truly awful sense of humor - a Sharp trademark - and for his determination to get on with his life - critics, haters, ignorance of others be damned.

~ Culley, my oldest, who is carving her own path in this world.  Having been forged in the fires of emotional betrayal, uncertainty and medical mystery, she is standing strong.  I am thankful for her easy smiles, brilliance, compassion, wicked sense of humor that rivals mine, her monstrous love for her siblings, and for every phone call and Facetime whose only end game is "Hey, Just calling to say HI."

~ Kendall, a creature of determination, focus, and will.  I am never not humbled by the bravery she exhibits as she carves out her own life in Dallas while patiently and methodically working towards her own end game - grad school and getting on with the business of earning her doctorate so she can move forward helping even more people.  I am thankful for her strength, her understanding that people are more than what they seem on the surface, her championing of Toby and being there for him at every turn, a sense of humor that is Ninja in its subtlety, yet Grand Canyon in its scope, and for always, ALWAYS calling every single day after work.

~ I am thankful for my husband who physically hurts when he has to drive away from me.  Thankful that he is still willing to learn, love harder, and remember me all the days I am not where he is.  After almost 28 years together, that is something rare.  I am thankful for how hard he works to provide for our family, and how much he trusts me to hold up my end of this partnership.  We have spent more years apart than together, but as I sit here, I hurt physically because my heart is reaching out so hard to his across the miles.

~ This morning I am ever so grateful for the friends in our lives.  Today, Kendall, Toby, and I are being adopted by the Massamillos for Thanksgiving - four of the most amazing people it has been our privilege to know.  They came into our lives via a soccer ball and Toby's instant friendship with Nikki, and have become family through the years.  They also did not blink when told about Toby - if anything, they just had that moment when everything they had always known suddenly made sense, and they just kept on loving him.  Love is love is love is love.

~ I am beyond thankful for the four grandparents in my children's lives.  They have never wavered in their love and support for our family, especially in this last year when so much that could have been generational hurdles proved to be less than speed bumps.  We may not get to see them very often, but I promise you, we FEEL them every day.

~ My sister, well, there is not a day that I am not thankful for her.  She is my safe place, the person who would only need a phone call, no reason given, to be here as fast as possible.  All I would have to say is, "I need you."  And she "gets" it.  We had planned a sister cruise in January, and when she realized we would be sailing away on Inauguration Day, did not blink at asking Toby to join us so he would be where he feels safe and happy.  

~ This morning I sit here, as I have every morning for over two weeks, thinking about Natala - someone who is beyond the word friend.  She is strength personified, a giver to others so she won't focus on her own struggles, a person who floated out of the internet ether and into our lives, becoming a confidante to me and my children, a Disney cruise convert, a degenerate in the best of ways, and someone whose faith in me makes me stronger.   

~ I am, as always grateful that I opened this piece of internet real estate so long ago.  It has widened my scope on the world, challenged what I thought I knew by expanding it with other viewpoints, and making me smarter and more compassionate in the process.  It has also brought the most amazing people into my orbit.  The sharing we do, the laughs we provide one another, the tears we trust to one another - sight unseen still in so many cases - cannot be explained.  I sit here wanting to write all your names, what you mean to me, but know I may leave someone out, so please just know YOU MATTER SO MUCH TO ME.

~ And finally, I am thankful because at this time of year, when we again take on the task of making Christmas happen for total strangers, you never fail to join the campaign.  You read the stories of those asking for our help, and respond with your trust and faith in me, your dollars, and your amazing hearts that only need to know others are hurting.  To that end, I want to share the story of another four children climbing into our sleigh, and their Grandmother.  Please take a moment to read about them, feel thankful for what may not be perfect in your own life, but is perfection compared to their struggles, and give if you can.  

As I told myself when I read this email yesterday, "I may not have everything I want around me right now, but I have never had to face down this."

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, and as you say your prayers at your tables, or offer up your silent thoughts for a better world, please remember people like this who are out there proving what I still believe:  The good people in this world still do outnumber the bad.

Love you all,

Linda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi Linda,

I know you’ll redact as necessary, but here is the long/short version of <name redacted's> story:

<----> has had her four grandchildren for most of their lives. J is 13 and came to live with his grandma when he was fairly young; S is 8 and has been with her grandma most of her life as well; Gramma’s house is the only home A, now 5, had known. R will be 3 in January and came to live with his grandma not long after he turned 2. Their mom has a history of mental health problems and is estranged from <----->. There was never a formal arrangement made, and <------> has been supporting these kiddos without any help from the state other than medical and daycare for the kids.

In the spring of this year, <------>’s daughter somehow convinced a judge that she should have custody of her kids. This judge, with whatever lack of good judgment (no pun intended), decided that not only should she have her kids back, but that she should stay in <------>’s apartment with the kids, and <------> should pay the rent and utilities for her as well as move out, leaving everything but her clothing.

Needless to say, everyone that cares about her and her grandchildren were flabbergasted. <------> was able to convince a different judge to return control of her apartment to her, but the daughter took the kids and left. This was early spring.

The children were returned to <------> by Child Protective Services in September when they were found living in “the jungle”—a homeless encampment in Seattle that has been constantly in the news due to the high incidence of crime—murders, drugs…

The children were in horrible shape physically—dirty, scared. A even had an untreated broken arm. These kids have seen things that would make adults have nightmares. <------> has missed more work than she has been here, as the kids have needed a lot of attention. Our employer allows staff to share their sick leave in some cases, but because the kids have been officially placed with <------> as a foster parent, she is not allowed to apply for shared leave. She is not able to receive federal food assistance, either.

Needless to say, this family could use all the help they can get. If this family could be helped with a few small items for the kids, I’m sure it would brighten the holidays for them, and ease <------>’s mind. I’ll get a few gift ideas as well as clothing sizes to you as soon as possible.

Thank you!

DGMS Family Member 

 

How Your Dollars Fill The Sleigh With Love

With permission given, but personal details omitted, I wanted to tell you a bit about two new families climbing into our sleigh today.  As I mentioned this morning, food is again taking a starring role in our efforts...

Both families have been brought to the sleigh by DGMS blogmunity lifers.  :)

~~~~~~~~~~~

Family 1

"My friend, <name omitted for privacy>, is wheelchair bound, his daughter and 1 year old granddaughter live with him in a mobile home. She lost her job and he is trying to support them all on his social security income and it doesn't go far.  He's a good man and I would like to help them out."

I immediately responded and got this back: "I got the list from my friend. When I told him about our group and him having a decent holiday, he was in tears."

Got a little more info this morning after I received a wish list to begin working on.

"He had a stroke three years ago, he is permanently in a wheelchair. His daughter had gotten a job as a health care provider and was taking care of her dad and was SUPPOSED to get paid for it. Well it turned out, she never got paid and the company was a scam. She has a one year old daughter and they are living with him. His son just lost everything in an apartment fire and is staying with him too. So he is trying to support them all on his small disability check and there isn't enough for extras, let alone Christmas."

Family 2

"Linda, I may have someone that needs help for Christmas. <My daughter> just told me one of her workers passed out at work because he hadn't eaten a full meal in a week, and apparently he is not eating so his family can. I put together a box of food for him from my pantry because I am the coupon queen and always have extra stuff but I am concerned his kids wont have any presents for Christmas. If he agrees, can we put them on the list?"

My one word answer?  ABSOLUTELY.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your donations will make an incredible difference in the lives of these families, and those for whom I am already elfing.  I cannot thank you enough for your open hearts.  Please help spread the word.

Linda

Yes, Virginia Update - Hungering For Christmas

Hi everyone - just a quick update.  Have kicked into high gear elfing.  Finding great bargains - yesterday I fell into an insane one day clothing deal for 70% off and free shipping, and the day before I beat Toys R Us into submission, etc.  And while I love being able to track down and bargain my best for wish list items, every single request we have received so far includes a plea for food.

That, to me, is heartbreaking.  And I am stretching our funds as much as possible to provide giftcards to local grocery stores in their respective areas.

To anyone who may immediately think, "What about area food banks?" - a little food for thought.  Sadly, food banks are stretched to their breaking points, especially at this time of year.  And let's be very honest about one thing (something I admit I am guilty of doing):  Food bank donations are often comprised of what somehow managed to crawl into our own pantries, but that we were happy to get rid of when our child was collecting cans for school or church.

Hunger is embarrassing, it just is.  It should not be, but it is.  But then, it also should not exist.  We can do better than throw cans of near-their-expiration green beans or Rotelle at nameless, faceless people we may never meet.

As the emails I have received highlight - "they" can be "you" in the blink of an eye, through no fault of your own.  Life, economics, jobs - they all turn on a dime.

Help if you can.  Things are tighter all around this year.  Some of you have contacted me directly about sending checks - I will email you privately when those arrive.

Linda

Let's Fill The Sleigh!

Good morning, all.  I am up early elfing, filling wish lists and beating your dollars to death with coupon codes, promos, and early Black Friday specials.

Your donations are helping already to keep two apartments warm, put warm boots on little feet, games under the Christmas tree, and goodies in stockings.  A special THANK YOU to long time DGMSer, Chicky, who hooked us up with the philanthropy efforts of her company which empowers their employees to find worthwhile causes and be funded - a wonderful $250 windfall!

This morning I would like to ask for your help in reaching out to families you may know of who are hurting.  To parents who face this time of year with tears instead of joy because the struggle to even put food on the table takes precedent over toys and Christmas cheer.  Perhaps your family could use our help.

While our funds are never inexhaustible, this blogmunity has proven year after year (tear after tear?) after year that we WILL find room in the sleigh for all those who find their way to my inbox.

Asking for help is never easy.  It is embarrassing, soul crushing - it should not be, but it is.  So please, reach out to those you know, assure them that their privacy is paramount, and that our help is real.  And if you need help making Christmas happen, please do not hesitate to email me because I know who you are from your years here at DGMS.  Our fund has helped MANY in our blogmunity family through the years.

Let's make this the best holiday sleigh ride ever.

Linda

 

Just a reminder of magic you have made through the years... 

Remembering The Reason For The Season

Since the results of the election, we have all felt the fallout.  The personal, the political, the social media wars raging over racism, hatred, phobias, refugees, and ignorance.

Hearts are heavy, friendships and familial relations are straining and breaking under the weight of diametrically opposing viewpoints on fundamental humanity, equal protections for all, and the very real fear of campaign promises being brought to fruition and further imperiling the lives of so many.

And while many, MANY of us are now feeling like emotional refugees in our own land, there are still very real refugees wanting desperately to find respite on our shores, on any shores that will allow their children to sleep at night, to wake and find the roof still above them, not crushing them.

And as so much plays out around us, and around the world, we move day by day closer to the original refugee story - the one around which Christmas revolves. 

The birth story of Jesus begins with two strangers in the night, trying desperately to find refuge, being repeatedly told "No room at the inn."  And yet somehow in that desperation, shelter is found, and an incredible story was born with that baby - wise men, gifts, angels, a star.

That story is the original tale of giving.  Of welcoming.  Of open hearts, hope, joy.

But mostly HOPE.

I have focused on it much over the past two weeks.  Yes, my overtly religious days are behind me.  But the meaning found during this season is not.  The lessons are as alive as ever.  It is why I first asked this community to come together and help others.  Because there is need.  There is sadness attached to that need.  And behind every email I receive there are children.  Children who have no control over the economy.  Children who did not ask for their lot in life.  Children who simply want what so many of our children have always been able to take for granted. 

That at this special time of year, as carols ring out, as brightly colored lights twinkle, that someone remembers them.  That the magic still available in the hearts and minds of the innocent can happen for them, too.

With each email I receive, all I see is the request for hope.  The desire to make even the tiniest bit of magic for a child.  I don't see politics.  I don't see memes.  I don't see anything but what we all are when stripped of the noise and conflict and brought low by life - human beings who are hurting; human beings who are hoping that other human beings will extend a helping hand.

The days are flying by as this holiday season approaches.  If you can help bolster our Yes, Virginia coffers, I promise to make every cent do its utmost to make as much magic as possible.  And if you know of a family who is hurting and could use our help, please let me know.  

The link is always open that explains our fund.  And donating is as easy as heading to Paypal and entering [email protected].

We can do this.

Linda

Hearts are heavy, friendships and familial relations are straining and breaking under the weight of diametrically opposing viewpoints on fundamental humanity, equal protections for all, and the very real fear of campaign promises being brought to fruition and further imperiling the lives of so many.

And while many, MANY of us are now feeling like emotional refugees in our own land, there are still very real refugees wanting desperately to find respite on our shores, on any shores that will allow their children to sleep at night, to wake and find the roof still above them, not crushing them.

And as so much plays out around us, and around the world, we move day by day closer to the original refugee story - the one around which Christmas revolves. 

The birth story of Jesus begins with two strangers in the night, trying desperately to find refuge, being repeatedly told "No room at the inn."  And yet somehow in that desperation, shelter is found, and an incredible story was born with that baby - wise men, gifts, angels, a star.

That story is the original tale of giving.  Of welcoming.  Of open hearts, hope, joy.

But mostly HOPE.

I have focused on it much over the past two weeks.  Yes, my overtly religious days are behind me.  But the meaning found during this season is not.  The lessons are as alive as ever.  It is why I first asked this community to come together and help others.  Because there is need.  There is sadness attached to that need.  And behind every email I receive there are children.  Children who have no control over the economy.  Children who did not ask for their lot in life.  Children who simply want what so many of our children have always been able to take for granted. 

That at this special time of year, as carols ring out, as brightly colored lights twinkle, that someone remembers them.  That the magic still available in the hearts and minds of the innocent can happen for them, too.

With each email I receive, all I see is the request for hope.  The desire to make even the tiniest bit of magic for a child.  I don't see politics.  I don't see memes.  I don't see anything but what we all are when stripped of the noise and conflict and brought low by life - human beings who are hurting; human beings who are hoping that other human beings will extend a helping hand.

The days are flying by as this holiday season approaches.  If you can help bolster our Yes, Virginia coffers, I promise to make every cent do its utmost to make as much magic as possible.  And if you know of a family who is hurting and could use our help, please let me know.  

The link is always open that explains our fund.  And donating is as easy as heading to Paypal and entering [email protected].

We can do this.

Linda

What Happened To Me? (Give Me A Break)

It has now been a full week since polite, decent society was told that white supremacy, hatred, and bigotry were the trending hashtags, as it were.

A full week in which the initial shock has begun to wear off, anger has begun to replace numbness, and that sick feeling in our stomachs has begun to be replaced by the fire of decency, equality for all, and bone deep understanding that what "won" a week ago, will not win in the end.

I have been silent here since the morning after.  I have been circling my wagons, tending my flock, trying to reassure my transgender son that we WILL move forward with our journey to make him whole; that the good people do still outnumber the bad (votes still being counted bear that out); and that his safety is a non-negotiable with Rudy and I.

Like you, the hypocrisy pouring forth like pus from an infected wound (if THAT isn't the most apt description of the right, I do not know what is) from those who elevated Trump to this nation's highest office, is stunning in its lack of self awareness.  The same miscreants who spent the past eight years posting offensive memes, spreading lies, and shitting themselves blind over our half black President, now urge us to "come together," "stop crying," and "to get over it."

Fuck off, pus.

That blunt enough for you?

What happened a week ago goes so far beyond politics.  It goes to the heart of this nation.  It is about dark vs light.  Equality vs discrimination.  Blind, ignorant hatred vs enlightenment and love.

Entire groups of people are frightened.  Not that these groups were not frightened before, but having the hate against them sanctioned, acquitted, validated, and emboldened?  It goes beyond fear.

What I feel in my gut goes beyond fear for my son.  And if you do not belong to any of the groups Trump / Pence have targeted, it is very easy for you on the pus side of the aisle to call us "cry babies" or for those on the left to urge "patience, and a conciliatory tone."

NO.

That you have not yet been targeted is why you sleep better at night.  That no finger has been pointed at you is why you can shrug your shoulders and say "meh, we'll make the best of it."  That you walk through a grocery store with ease is because you are steeped in a privilege and comfort you do not even realize.

The grocery store.  Rudy, Toby and I ventured out for the first time two nights ago.  Even here in Austin, our little blue oasis in a sea of blood red, the feeling was palpable.  Toby was paranoid the entire time, as were we.  Fully aware as never before that half the people we walked past are dangerous, and ignorant, and unfeeling about anyone who is not them.

And I mean all of the people who supported him, the 21% who did not like him but voted for him anyway, and the third party voters who held their blessed self righteousness far above those who will be dreadfully impacted by this Presidency, Supreme Court nominations, and a quickly-being-culled cabinet of racists, dullards, and grifters.

You did this.  ALL OF YOU.  Every single Trump voter is a shit stain in the Fruit of the Looms of this country.  I do not care if you volunteer, make goodie bags for the homeless, play Santa at Christmas time, take care of Granny, or keep a pew warm once a week.  You are no better than what you stood with.  And what you stood shoulder to shoulder with is white supremacy, irrational phobias, hatred of "the other", prideful stupidity, and the belief that YOU matter MORE.

You do not get to cry foul now that decent society is pointing the finger at you.  You cannot marinate in a cesspool for well over a year and now claim to be clean.  You are the company you keep.  And you ARE deplorable.  EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. OF. YOU.

You have no empathy, no sympathy, no thirst for actual knowledge, no understanding of the Constitution you swear to hold so dear, no love of country, no fellowship with ALL citizens.  You are selfish, you are self centered, and make no mistake, your egocentric choice will come back and bite you in your ass.  The poorest and stupidest of you feeling the teeth first as Trump and Co begin hacking away at the protections you now enjoy.

You are NOT better than a person of color.  You are NOT better than anyone in the LGBTQIA community.  You are NOT better than the millions of peace seeking Muslims.  You are NOT better than Hispanics who are simply trying to provide for their families.  You are NOT better than someone with a disability.  You are NOT better than "the other."  In fact, you are worse.  Much, much, MUCH worse.

And quite frankly, YOU are now "the other."  And you have shown your hateful asses.  We know who you are.  And those bleeding hearts, our civility, our understanding of compromise - all those attributes you mock as libtard weaknesses?  You are about to see just how much strength you have galvanized.

Late yesterday, I received an email forward from a reader who found this "amusing" and that there was "even some truth in it."  Bull and shit.  Read on...my comments in red.

WHAT HAPPENED TO ME? 

I used to think I was just a regular guy, but I was born white, which now, whether I like it or not, makes me a racist.

No, being a racist makes you a racist.  It is entirely possible to be white (an achievement reached not through some amazing effort and greatness but by two white people fucking) and not be a racist.  Happens all the time.  

I am a fiscal and moral conservative, which by today’s standards, makes me a fascist.

No, liberals do not want money wasted either, and frankly have the realistic ideas for where cuts can be made that make sense.  As for your morals?  You become a fascist when you deign to think you can force your chosen standards onto anyone but yourself.

I am heterosexual, which according to gay folks, now makes me a homophobe.

Hey, brain trust - heterosexual here - NOT a  homophobe.  Try opening your seriously blinded eyes and take a good long look at millions of allies in this country.  Hetero.  Like racism, what makes you a homophobe is being a homophobe.

I am non-union, which makes me a traitor to the working class and an ally of big business.

No, this means you have a different opinion on the subject, and if your opinion is formed through information, rather than memes and Breitbart articles, you are completely entitled.

I am a Christian, which now labels me as an infidel.

Wrong again.  Christianity is fine.  Just as is Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, et al.  But so many of you have either strayed so very far from the actual teachings of Christ, or simply stay mute in the face of the aggression of your church that you have driven people away.  Religion is not secular law.  It is CHOSEN.  Think not?  I live in Texas, there is a religious store on every corner wanting to sell me on their tenets, man made hoo haa, and "rightness."  Keep yours where it belongs - in your church, in your home.  Christian "Sharia Law" is a much more likely threat to this country than your pants wetting tantrums over Islam.

I believe in the 2nd Amendment, which now makes me a member of the vast gun lobby.

Do you belong to a gun lobby?  No?  So you are not a member.  See how that works?  Come on now, nuance is not THAT hard to deal with.  You would obviously be surprised at how very many liberals support that amendment, too.  However, we also support applying some common sense to the process of ownership, accompanying responsibility, and subsequent liability.

I am older than 70 and retired, which makes me a useless old man.

70 is not as old as 70 used to be, if you are doing the due diligence required to take care of the one body you have.  You being a "useless old man" exists in YOUR head, not ours.

I think and I reason, therefore I doubt much that the main stream media tells me, which must make me a reactionary.

No, by all means, think, reason, research.  But if you only think, reason, and research that which reinforces your inner narrative (KILLARY!  EMAILS! BENGHAZI!), then you are worse than a reactionary.  You are willfully ignorant.  If you are unwilling to risk being wrong, THERE is your problem.

I am proud of my heritage and our inclusive American culture, which makes me a xenophobe.

The Confederate flag is not heritage - it is a symbol of a very sinister time in this country, a sinister time which is being welcomed back into society,  and your ancestral heritage reaches far back across the ocean to another country.  Just because you were not alive to see your ancestors rape, pillage, and take what they wanted when they got here, does not mean that part of your heritage does not exist.  As for your wording of "inclusive American culture"?  Inclusive means EVERYONE, dear.  That means you do not hold yourself above gay people, black people, transgender people, pansexual people, people of other faiths, people who may not look like you but are citizens nonetheless.  Your clinging to some backwards belief that YOU matter more makes you a xenophobe.

I value my safety and that of my family and I appreciate the police and the legal system, which makes me a right-wing extremist.

Another shocker in store for you, so sit down.  Liberals support police, too!  We just also have our eyes open to the fact that some police officers are complete reprobates who should not be in uniform and brandishing a gun.   We also support the legal system, but are honest about where it falls down, discriminates, and needs shored up.  

I believe in hard work, fair play, and fair compensation according to each individual’s merits, which today makes me an anti-socialist.

Sigh - there's that big word you learned from Sarah Palin's Word O' The Day toilet paper roll.  Look around, PEOPLE work hard.  The lion's share just do.  They take pride in their efforts, work more than one job to provide for their families, and value compensation being equal to merit (not gender).  But the deck is also stacked against MANY people.  Refusal to see this is not just sad, but willfully ignorant.  Stop acting like the notions of "hard work, fair play and fair compensation" belong to the right side of the aisle.  Not every Democrat is a "taker" - your oft yakked up talking point.  In fact, the biggest "taker" states are red, so explain that, please.  We'll wait...

I (and most of the folks I know), acquired a fair education without student loans (it’s called work) and no debt at graduation, which makes me some kind of an odd underachiever.

Sorry, Grandpa Romney, but life is simply different these days.  You may want to take note of that.  College is ridiculously expensive.  My three children are all in debt, all working, all paying on their loans, as are Rudy and I paying on our Parent Plus loans.  Kudos to you for graduating with no debt.  I dare you to strap on the circumstances of the average 18 year old and try it again in 2017.  Good luck with that.

I believe in the defense and protection of the homeland for and by all citizens and I honor those who served in the Armed Forces, which now makes me a militant.

Such utter bullshit.  We ALL want a safe and protected country.  And we honor those who choose to serve in our military.  Whether a person goes in spurred by deep patriotism or simply because they have no other option at the time - they sign the same papers essentially turning their lives over to Uncle Sam, vowing to give their lives for millions they will never meet.  That is a profound sacrifice.  If you are a militant for these widely held emotions, then we are ALL militants, you whiny, self serving snowflake.

Please help me come to terms with the new me ... because I’m just not sure who I am anymore!

You are a man steeped in privilege.  That is who you are.  A privilege and comfort you are only now having pointed out to you by those who do not have it, have never had it, will never have it.  Your "new me" is belligerent, intentionally obtuse, and offensive (Sadly, those are probably also your lifelong character traits) because you wrote this list to mock that which you have no intent of understanding.

I would like to thank all my friends for sticking with me through these changes in my life!

Again, nothing has changed in your life, except marginalized people have finally begun to stand together and demand that the founding documents of this country actually apply to EVERYONE.  Your life isn't changing at all.  Oh sure, you are being told to STFU when you whine about "making America great again" but that is because you only mean make it great for ME.

I just can’t imagine or understand why this has happened to me.

Wow - just imagine how a black person has ALWAYS felt, how they feel in a traffic stop knowing they could end up dead? I just can’t imagine or understand why this has happened to me.  How about my transgender son?  I just can’t imagine or understand why this has happened to me.  A Hispanic person who is targeted for his accent or skin shade?  I just can’t imagine or understand why this has happened to me.  A peaceful Sikh being harassed because so many in this country are ignorant to the extreme and cannot be bothered to even learn the difference.  I just can’t imagine or understand why this has happened to me.  A Muslim woman being threatened with fire if she does not remove her headscarf?  I just can’t imagine or understand why this has happened to me.  A disabled person being openly mocked by the President-elect?  I just can’t imagine or understand why this has happened to me.

Your life has not changed, Grandpa.

And, as if all this nonsense wasn’t enough to deal with, I’m now afraid to go into either one of the restrooms!

Ahhhh, there is it.  My personal favorite, but then I do have a transgender child.  Get it through your head - there has never been an incident of a transgender person attacking anyone in a bathroom.  Transgender and pedophile are two mutually exclusive labels.   Transgender and rapist are two mutually exclusive labels.  Transgender people want one thing out of their bathroom visit - TO USE THE BATHROOM.  My son is not a threat to your 70+ year old pee pee.  He will always use a stall, so chances are you will never know he was in there to begin with.  Mind your own incontinence, and wash your hands on the way out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is nothing remotely funny about that email forward.  It is ignorance personified.  But it also encapsulates why so many people are afraid.  Because they know, now more than ever, that half this country thinks they are above them.  That half this country doesn't even attempt to understand their struggles, their fears, their day-to-day existence.

But that's ok.  Because when all the ballots are eventually counted, it won't be half.  Because already, of those who cared enough to vote, over HALF voted against ignorance hatred, misogyny, racism, bigotry, and phobias.  Yes, the popular vote is on the side of right, of decency, of equality and protections for all.

So, to those reveling in their "win"?  Enjoy.  We recognize that there was no talking to you rationally before the election, and that there certainly is no hope of that now.  You understand one thing - aggression.  Strength is all you seem to respect.  Every t-shirt you wear, every filthy word you spew, every violent act you are out committing because you think Trump has sanctioned it - we get it.  So we will bring it right back at you.  We will not stand by for four years and watch as you marginalize, demean, demoralize, attack, and discriminate.  What we will do is bring to bear the full meaning of our founding documents, at every turn we will be there.  We will be there when you try to attack someone.  When you try to take away a right, a protection, we will be there.

Because we understand something you do not.  Just because you are not currently targeted, does not mean you never will be.  So we will be protecting ourselves and our fellow citizens from you, but we will also be working to protect you from yourselves.

You ARE outnumbered, we are finally, fully awake, we understand the long game, and we ARE stronger than you know.  You've been warned. 

WE Are Not THIS

Last night we watched as the unthinkable happened in this country.  And by "we", I mean the decent people of the United States of America.

The people who care about their neighbor.

The people who care about education, information, facts.

The people who do not fear those who may not reflect their own likeness.

The people who truly see the beauty in the rainbow of humanity, sexuality, gender.

The people who give even when they themselves are in need.

The people who fight for what is right, not for what is expedient.

The people who hold out their hand to the underdog - their hand, not their fist.

The people who watch news from around the world and feel horror, compassion, and the deep urge to help those affected even a world away.

The people who understand the hurt and horror behind a brazenly and ignorantly flown Confederate flag.

The people who practice a religion yet have no problem with their neighbor practicing another, or none at all.

The people who believe in a woman's right to make decisions covering her own body, existence, journey.

The people who understand that "bootstraps" are not a real thing, but that hunger, oppression, disadvantage, and prejudice are.

The people who sat open mouthed last night, eyes filled with tears.

We watched as the other people elevated the most inexperienced, race baiting, misogynistic, egomaniacal opportunist to our nation's highest office.

And we wept.

Because WE are not THIS.

We are a country whose history IS this, but WE are NOT this.  We understand the struggle, the blood shed on our behalf to open up opportunities, equalities, advances.  We did not take for granted those sacrifices yesterday - we walked forward and cast our ballots for more progress, more equality, more protections for those who have sat outside the words "all men created equal," desperately hoping we would eventually live up to the potential of that phrase.

We watched as the media allowed journalism to finally, fully die.  As they salivated over ratings instead of their civic duty to investigate, inform.  They are completely complicit in turning our election into the world's worst reality show.  

And they will have blood on their hands.

Because WE are not THIS, but they gave endless voice to those who are.  They helped legitimize hate.  They had their microphones and cameras turned towards the worst because he gave them what they love the best:  ratings.  They did not care about anything but how many were tuned in to the endless train wreck that culminated in last night's complete destruction.

We watched as people who claimed to be decent, claimed to be Christian, claimed to be allies, stood shoulder to shoulder with white supremacy, zealotry, bigotry, and hate. And this morning, as I have told you all along, you cannot stand neck deep in sewage and claim to be clean. You ARE this.

We watched as those we had pleaded with to not throw their votes behind a person who had no shot, to look at the bigger picture of what was at stake - did not.  If ever the phrase "our votes do not count anyway" was shown to be a lie, last night was it.  Your votes absolutely counted, because you stole from so many others to do what?  Wake up feeling morally superior?  Sorry, you wake up today in a country in which you have exposed, hurt, and endangered so many people.

And it is too late to ask, "Have you no sense of decency, sir?"  We all know the answer, and you will have blood on your hands.

Because WE are not THIS.  You are, but WE, the decent people, are not.

We, the decent people, wake (if any of us actually slept at all) knowing the fear that is in the hearts and minds of so many people this morning.

My son is terrified.  I am terrified with him.  I am terrified for my friends of color - all color.  I am terrified for my friends who have been raised in religions that are targets now on their backs.  I am terrified for every decent person who stood up and tried their best to protect everyone, even to protect the proudly ignorant from themselves.

In the end, it just wasn't enough.  Love does not always conquer all.  Our better angels sometimes lose to the devils of other's natures.  

But WE are not THIS.  

This morning, that is all I know.  I know who you are - the decent people who tried.  And I know who you are - the ugly, ignorant, selfish, short sighted bigots who will never understand that we were already making America great, by making it live up to the promises set down on parchment so long ago.

What happened last night is unforgivable.  But we also know who did it.  THEY may be cheering their own capriciousness and hatred today, but in the long game of this country, they will not win.

Because WE are not THIS.

We All Matter

Today is voting day for the general election.  If that is news to you, then I'd like to welcome you back to Earth as you have obviously been vacationing on a planet far, far away where political attack ads, heated rhetoric, Twitter, and the US vs THEM mentality cannot reach.

I have written only sporadically about the devolving political discourse in this country in the run up to these elections.   So much of what has taken place simply makes me angry, and that is pretty much the sum total of what I would have contributed to this space.  You know my politics.  You know the highly personal nature of why I support one party over the other.  You know I believe in the better angels of our nature.

But as we are again being handed the privilege of making our voices heard via the democratic process, I find there is something I want to say.

You matter.

Despite appearances to the contrary, despite the slanted ads, Trump's late night Twitter rants, rallies devolving into middle school  hallway level attacks, despite corporations dumping million after million into a process in which they have no BUSINESS being, and despite candidates up and down the ballot losing sight of WE THE PEOPLE in their lust to suckle at the power teat - YOU STILL MATTER.

I honestly don't care what your politics are.  If they are informed by facts.  That is my one small caveat.  If you are not informed, if you cling to ignorance instead of diving into research, if your politics are fueled by hatred of "the other", if you base your vote on who a talking head told you to vote for - then I do care.

Like The Lorax, I care a whole awful lot.

I have news for people everywhere.  Anger, fear, frustration - those are not emotions which are owned by a single political party or ideology.  They are the domain of the human being.

Our economy is still recovering.  People are still out of work.  Our world is a scary, uncertain place.  People are hungry, homeless, frightened, fed up, and looking for a target at which to aim their impotent rage.

If you bag your tea, LOVE the Cheetoh, or ride your elephant, don't go into the voting booth thinking even for one second that voting straight down the Republican line will suddenly find us waking up to some Utopian fantasy called Mayberry where Aunt Bee doled out pie and folksy proverbs in equal measure, and those folks knew their place.   And if you still have hope for change, advocate for those targeted, or ride a donkey, don't think that the sun will suddenly shine brighter and that the racists, cowards, phobes, and irrational dullards will suddenly vaporize if the Democrats prevail.

The hatred and irrationality do today, more than ever, present as partisan, but the problems facing this nation are not, and neither are the answers to them.  I realize we are a country with a Jersey Shore-Kardashian mentality - where we love our braggadocio, and think everything can be faced down with muscle, heated words, and a half naked Instagram post. 

It can't.

A President Clinton will be no more a magician IN the Oval Office, than would be Trump and his Twitter feed OUT of the Oval Office.  Although stability is a much surer bet with the former than the latter in the Oval.

We are a country which worships the magic bullet.  We like the easy road.  Effort?  Not so much.  Sorry, but that's a sad truth.  The main things we produce these days are bad TV and consumption.

We don't like sacrifice.  And our politicians know that, which is why they all campaign on not asking you and I for any.  They promise - oh how they promise - everything for nothing.  Lower taxes!  Immediate security!  A bigly wall!  All not happening, believe me.

Because at the end of the day, they tend to forget that we are out here.  Hurting, struggling, yearning, fretting.  WE THE PEOPLE who cannot dump millions into their pockets as lobbyists.  WE THE PEOPLE who desperately wish our leaders would stop acting like pissy toddlers in a sandbox and realize we are out here.  WE THE PEOPLE who know we are not helped by hatred, but somehow get caught up in the lie about the other side anyway.

We still matter.

But we have all allowed our democratic process to be co-opted by shadowy figures, who-can-shout-the-loudest-and-make-you-fear-the-most TV and radio hosts, and businesses who can warp an election because they ARE a business, not a person.  And a business is not worried about feeding the kids at night or putting warm clothes on their backs.  A business is only worried about a bottom line and the best way to go about increasing it.

Which is why they pump millions into the process, without even having to disclose their contributions, thus pushing WE THE PEOPLE further out of the process.

Walmart Jones is not running for office.  Xerox Smith is not running for office.  Borden Johnson is not running for office.  Target Owens is not running for office.  Koch Industries Peterson is not running for office.  Yet there they are, in line to be heard ahead of the PEOPLE in this country.  In line to gain by buying the process.

Today is our chance to remind our leaders, and those who wish to be our leaders, that we are better than what our election seasons portray us; that decency still outweighs deplorability; that every citizen deserves equality, protections, possibilities; that this country will not be turned into some Aryan Nation fantasy; that WE STILL MATTER.

We the people, who still believe in a more perfect union.  FOR EVERYONE.

VOTE.

 

Today is voting day for the general election.  If that is news to you, then I'd like to welcome you back to Earth as you have obviously been vacationing on a planet far, far away where political attack ads, heated rhetoric, Twitter, and the US vs THEM mentality cannot reach.

I have written only sporadically about the devolving political discourse in this country in the run up to these elections.   So much of what has taken place simply makes me angry, and that is pretty much the sum total of what I would have contributed to this space.  You know my politics.  You know the highly personal nature of why I support one party over the other.  You know I believe in the better angels of our nature.

But as we are again being handed the privilege of making our voices heard via the democratic process, I find there is something I want to say.

You matter.

Despite appearances to the contrary, despite the slanted ads, Trump's late night Twitter rants, rallies devolving into middle school  hallway level attacks, despite corporations dumping million after million into a process in which they have no BUSINESS being, and despite candidates up and down the ballot losing sight of WE THE PEOPLE in their lust to suckle at the power teat - YOU STILL MATTER.

I honestly don't care what your politics are.  If they are informed by facts.  That is my one small caveat.  If you are not informed, if you cling to ignorance instead of diving into research, if your politics are fueled by hatred of "the other", if you base your vote on who a talking head told you to vote for - then I do care.

Like The Lorax, I care a whole awful lot.

I have news for people everywhere.  Anger, fear, frustration - those are not emotions which are owned by a single political party or ideology.  They are the domain of the human being.

Our economy is still recovering.  People are still out of work.  Our world is a scary, uncertain place.  People are hungry, homeless, frightened, fed up, and looking for a target at which to aim their impotent rage.

If you bag your tea, LOVE the Cheetoh, or ride your elephant, don't go into the voting booth thinking even for one second that voting straight down the Republican line will suddenly find us waking up to some Utopian fantasy called Mayberry where Aunt Bee doled out pie and folksy proverbs in equal measure, and those folks knew their place.   And if you still have hope for change, advocate for those targeted, or ride a donkey, don't think that the sun will suddenly shine brighter and that the racists, cowards, phobes, and irrational dullards will suddenly vaporize if the Democrats prevail.

The hatred and irrationality do today, more than ever, present as partisan, but the problems facing this nation are not, and neither are the answers to them.  I realize we are a country with a Jersey Shore-Kardashian mentality - where we love our braggadocio, and think everything can be faced down with muscle, heated words, and a half naked Instagram post. 

It can't.

A President Clinton will be no more a magician IN the Oval Office, than would be Trump and his Twitter feed OUT of the Oval Office.  Although stability is a much surer bet with the former than the latter in the Oval.

We are a country which worships the magic bullet.  We like the easy road.  Effort?  Not so much.  Sorry, but that's a sad truth.  The main things we produce these days are bad TV and consumption.

We don't like sacrifice.  And our politicians know that, which is why they all campaign on not asking you and I for any.  They promise - oh how they promise - everything for nothing.  Lower taxes!  Immediate security!  A bigly wall!  All not happening, believe me.

Because at the end of the day, they tend to forget that we are out here.  Hurting, struggling, yearning, fretting.  WE THE PEOPLE who cannot dump millions into their pockets as lobbyists.  WE THE PEOPLE who desperately wish our leaders would stop acting like pissy toddlers in a sandbox and realize we are out here.  WE THE PEOPLE who know we are not helped by hatred, but somehow get caught up in the lie about the other side anyway.

We still matter.

But we have all allowed our democratic process to be co-opted by shadowy figures, who-can-shout-the-loudest-and-make-you-fear-the-most TV and radio hosts, and businesses who can warp an election because they ARE a business, not a person.  And a business is not worried about feeding the kids at night or putting warm clothes on their backs.  A business is only worried about a bottom line and the best way to go about increasing it.

Which is why they pump millions into the process, without even having to disclose their contributions, thus pushing WE THE PEOPLE further out of the process.

Walmart Jones is not running for office.  Xerox Smith is not running for office.  Borden Johnson is not running for office.  Target Owens is not running for office.  Koch Industries Peterson is not running for office.  Yet there they are, in line to be heard ahead of the PEOPLE in this country.  In line to gain by buying the process.

Today is our chance to remind our leaders, and those who wish to be our leaders, that we are better than what our election seasons portray us; that decency still outweighs deplorability; that every citizen deserves equality, protections, possibilities; that this country will not be turned into some Aryan Nation fantasy; that WE STILL MATTER.

We the people, who still believe in a more perfect union.  FOR EVERYONE.

VOTE.

Yes, Virginia, Sometimes Rose Colored Glasses Are A Good Thing

In politics, as in most areas of life, "you win some, you lose some."

Whether Tuesday night will find you cheering or crying in your beer, I'd like to offer up an alternative to the gloat or mope parade that is coming.

I admit, this election season has had everything in me pushing my fingers towards the keyboard to rant, to vent, to prognosticate.  I know what I want to get out, what I want to say.  But often I have made myself do other things instead.  I run errands, and I think.  I make flarfs, and I think.  I paint, and I think.  I pack a box for one of my kids, and I think.

And in thinking, I calm down, albeit temporarily, and I refocus on something I firmly believe.

Regardless of which side of the aisle champions your causes; no matter who you cast your ballot for; whether you "win" or "lose" - you are more than a bumper sticker.  The people I may not agree with politically are more than adversaries, people who see the world differently.  Just as I am not one thing or one issue - neither are they.  We are all complex.  I may not agree with someone's views, but that's not all a person is.

They are mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, daughters, sons, grandparents, friends.

And while this season has seen some true ugliness come forth; seen relationships ended over personal biases revealed; and the worst traits of certain humans unleashed, encouraged even, the dust is going to eventually settle.

As I always told the kids when they were referees: on a soccer field (come on, you didn't think we'd get through this without a soccer analogy, did you?), regardless of the call made by the ref, 50% of the people on and around the field are immediately pissed off and feel wronged.

But life goes on after the whistle.

Just as this country will continue to churn along.  People will go to work, look for work, enlist, go to plays, concerts, soccer games.  People will cut their grass, shovel their snow, vacation, get root canals and Botox, have heart attacks and live, have strokes and die, and they will welcome their families in for the holidays.

THAT is what helped me refocus this morning.

I started thinking about our yearly Yes, Virginia campaign to help keep Santa alive in so many homes where Christmas spirit was a candle ready to go unlit.

And in thinking back over the time we have been doing this, it dawned on me:  Not once in nine years have you asked who your dollars have gone to help.  And not once have I ever even contemplated the voting record of the parents who reach out for our assistance.

Because it doesn't matter.

When the chips are down, we come together.  It is that simple. 

I don't care if I am elfing for someone who votes red or blue.  I care only that someone is hurting in a profound way and has asked for help. 

I care that we have kept electricity on, provided Christmas dinners, bought beds for those who had none, shoes for bare feet, winter coats to keep kids and parents warm, pet food for hungry furry family members.  I care that we rally every time this year and manage to create smiles - not just on the little children's faces, but on the faces of their parents whose hearts had been dying at the thought of trying to explain why Santa couldn't come.

I care about what happens on Tuesday, trust me, I do.  But it will happen, and be a bell we cannot unring.  I am well aware of the challenges and even the dangers ahead, but my hope is that those who feel like "winners" on Tuesday will eventually remember that there are just as many people who "lost" who feel every bit as invested in this country as are they.  And I pray that those who find themselves involved in the governance of this country will remember that they are there to help everyone, regardless of red or blue.

Just like we here at DGMS do every year at this time.

Rose colored glasses?  Maybe.  But sometimes, that's not a bad thing at all. 

I think I'll go with candy cane colored glasses.  :)

Give if you can - the Yes, Virginia link is open - and the good feelings are free.