Peaceful. Grateful. Thankful.

Powerful words.

Respected and cherished by many.

Forgotten and abused by others.

Truly the backbone of our culture.

“These are troubled times …” they say.

From time to time, we must agree. Especially during contentious times. We (the collective we) often wonder and ponder over who they might be. Most likely at any given time, it could be me or you, or anyone that either of us know. Or even those who love to lecture and pontificate, either from a moral, a political, a religious, or even a general I-like-to-argue standpoint.

I had a cousin like that. It didn’t matter what the subject was, he would take the opposite side and work diligently to prove his point to you. Whether he believed it or not, he just wanted to convince you. I suspect there are people like that in positions of power even now in our country. Fortunately, most of us truly believe in what we choose to argue for or against.

We are not afraid to fight and defend ourselves when needed 

No matter our political or moral beliefs, we Americans love our country. Patriotism is alive and well, though at times, the way it is exhibited can be based on what any one of us might consider misplaced values while others consider it the only way to be. But that is the beauty of America, provided we can all remember the maxim we grew up with. “Do unto others as you would like to have done unto you.” Sometimes in the heat of the moment, that becomes a forgotten tenet. 

Grateful to be living in the United States 

I have lived in many places in my lifetime, and I have to say, no matter our issues, I prefer America. Our taxes may not be what we would like, but they are much lower than many of the European countries. I have had people in a couple of the poorer countries I have lived in say, “But your taxes are so high in America.” To which I reply, “Maybe to you, but the infrastructure functions, and the firetrucks and ambulances come when called. Police too.” And that is worth it.

 

 An optimistic look to the future

I am writing this piece before Election Day on Tuesday. It is a tight race, and we are all concerned. By the time this publishes on the weekend we will know the results. But no matter what, if we don’t like the outcome on Tuesday, each and every one of us has four years of opportunity to work to change it.

Do I hope my candidate wins tomorrow? Absolutely. If not, however, I will do my best to make sure it is different next time. I am an American. I have the right and privilege to do that. And so do you.

My books and website

 You can find information about me and my books on my website at https://darilaroche.com.

I am also in three of the most recent Windtree Press Anthologies which you can find on Amazon Books or at your favorite vendor.