Stated more pointedly, what can we do when there is nothing we can do?

Optimism and hope seem to be in short supply among the general population these days. It is impossible to know what to do. But doing nothing just doesn’t seem right.  

Phrases like “We are all in this together” sound nice.  However, that phrase should be amended to read “We are all in this together but are not all together in this.” The haters and dividers have us out-maneuvered. They march, riot and loot as they destroy small businesses, churches, and historic monuments. They attack police and those who express dissent.

Some are getting rich and famous at our expense. They get rich when dollars come rolling in from contributors seeking to assuage some sense of personal guilt. They get famous, if only for a moment in time, when they jump in front of always available television cameras and make their divisive and hate filled comments.

Personal Note: I have lived a long life based upon the simple precept that each of us can make a positive difference with our family, friends and community. To that end at various times in my life I have taught Sunday school to teens, lead church counsels, served as league president and coached youth sports, headed fund raising efforts, lead counseling sessions for court-ordered abusers of women and children, been a boy scout leader, served on numerous non-profit boards, headed the curriculum committee at our community college, chaired the county solid waste and recycle committee, given counsel to owners of small businesses and supported brain injury awareness. None of these were compensated; my reward was in having a sense that I may have made a positive difference in the lives of others.  

I never had time to participate in a single protest march; simply too busy actually working on the issues important to our community.

Hold your applause because I am no hero; not one of a kind. Others I have worked with have done much more.  

Now, in the final few years of my life, I look back and believe that nothing folks who believe as I did have made any real or lasting difference. I wish our children and grandchildren good luck. They are going to need it.