We have come a long way folks. We are still fighting this deadly virus and World Pandemic. 230,000 people are DEAD! They were our fellow Americans. I do not care if they were American born, foreign born, rich, poor, White, Black, Yellow or if they were Democrats, Republicans or Independents. I don’t even care if they were Atheists, or Agnostics. They were human beings. They could not breathe a peaceful last breath because the virus would not let them breathe on their own. They did not have the strength to even say goodbye to a loved one. In many cases it was the beeping of the ventilator machine that announced their lonely transition. I am painting a grim and dark picture here because some people just need to wake up to the reality that if we do not cooperate and help each other stay safe, there is a possibility (hope not) that one hundred more human beings will die as many more are infected!
The ones who survive will more than likely not have long lasting side effects but many will continue to suffer. Reports from real people say they will have lung, heart and other vital organs affected for possibly the rest of their lives. This is like having another type of cancerous cell in your body. Post-COVID patients will be at risk of being labeled as having pre-existing illnesses that may not be covered by health insurance. They may have trouble getting insured or may see higher premiums and copays to deal with.
The countdown must be shouted at the top of our lungs. We must do what is right for all the people. We must continue to listen to the experts and scientists. You know – the ones with the higher educational degrees that certify that they actually have the knowledge and experience to tell us the truth and to develop the right protocols, medicines, vaccines and effective measures to combat the virus. It has not gone away.
My family is facing a difficult moment right now. And although it is not COVID related, I cannot bear the thought that anyone in my extended family might have to suffer from COVID because they have an underlying disease.
I will not rest peacefully until we conquer this viral disease. I will not rest peacefully until we rid ourselves of the deceitful, misleading, and dangerous misinformation that flows from the House of the People. Our democracy, freedom of speech, and civil rights are at stake right now. We need to revert back to the respectful discourse, honesty, and to the values we have cherished since the birth of our free nation. Many brave men and women died to preserve our Constitutions and the laws that protect us.
Some of you may not agree with my stance but this is the beauty of a democracy. We can disagree. But we must also accept the truth. The Constitution, our Bill of Rights and Liberties must not be trampled or tarnished. Empires and very powerful countries fall when the people get too complacent and allow corrupt leaders to dictate bigotry and hate. This is not the American way. I learned this from my sixth grade teacher. We must work together for the good of all. I beg you. We must work together.
I listened to this song this morning as I witnessed the audacity and determination of a long line of voters waiting to cast their vote early. They started dancing in place to make their long wait a little more bearable. So to end on a high note I want to share this classic. I will be doing the same in my living room when the results come in and tell us we have won our nation back. Stay safe, and God bless America!
As an educator, 100 days was a milestone measure. I would revise my check list of the objectives I had proposed at the beginning of the school year. It was a sobering endeavor sometimes because I would have to face the truth and realize that I had to make some changes. A few times the changes would be major. However, either way, my entire self-evaluation was a learning experience.
One year, I actually created a resource guide for the student teachers I was mentoring to help them assess how and when objectives were attained. I explained in the diplomatic way I could that assessing whether or not teaching was something they should do was pivotal to the success. I truly believe that some people decide on a career for the entirely wrong reasons. This might sound a bit cruel but teaching to me was a labor of love and total commitment.
So why am I thinking about a 100 day assessment even now that I am not teaching? A teacher is always an educator even beyond retirement. I made a commitment yesterday July 26, 2020 that the next 100 days would have to be meaningful and purposeful. My motivation is primarily my grandchildren who will inherit the earth we leave them. They may have to face some hard times if our beloved democracy fails because their elders did not speak up or gave into feeling helpless and hopeless. Each of us has a purpose to fulfill in life. I suppose this will be one of mine. I refuse to leave my grandchildren in a chaotic world if I can help it. Therefore, as a mother, grandmother, educator and simply an ordinary human being, I promise to do something and say something when I see or hear something that is not right. I do not want to scream at, or complain to or even try to coerce anyone into doing as I say. I do want action. I want people to assess the situation they are in now. The now is now, not 100 days from now. But, here’s the thing it will be up to us, the people, to effect change. We can all be agents of change.
I recently viewed an on-line interview conducted by Maria Menounes from Better Together with NYT Bestselling psychic medium, John Edward, It opened my eyes and ears to some deep thoughts. I have been thinking about some of these things for a while. To be exact I been thinking about do something since the Corona Virus took over our lives. But it took a closer look to give me the courage I needed.
One hundred days can seem like an eternity to some. It can mean some people loose their homes and even their lives. It could mean that we find ourselves engulfed in even more uncertainty. Now ninety-nine days from today, we will know what our destiny will be in terms of the politics of this beautiful country. It is up to us folks. Only our collective positive energy can effect the changes we want and need.
Please post your comments. I want to hear about what is going on in your life. Let us begin to truly talk to each other. A like or an emoji really do not express what we feel, real words do. Thanks for your continued support. Join me on the count down to the survival of our democracy and the return of a healthy mindset for the future.
*I often go back and read my poems and revise them to reflect my current sentiments about a topic. The little bird represents so many things. It is in a way a deity of sorts, a messenger fro the universe to help us make sense of tragedy and violence. Perhaps I am also a dreamer. But I like to think that there is hope for humanity.
A little bird told me
“Listen only to what wise people have to say.”
It spoke to me in a very alarming way.
I have always listened carefully to those I thought were very smart.
But all I heard was actually a lot of stupid stuff.
I have always tried the dodge the darts,
poisoned with hatred, bigotry and words that were really rough.
I pleaded with the universe to help stop the madness,
and declared enough is enough.
I turned to the little bird and explained my confusion,
But It flew away suddenly
as if to say,
What did you expect from your delusion?
Sadly, even birds seem to understand what is going on today.
They know about disrespect
and I think they even get
the meaning of reject.
I am watching for that little bird to come back to me.
Every year for many years now I have celebrated National Poetry Month and invite and encourage those who find poetry difficult or boring to give poetry a try. If you have read my profile you will know that for me poetry is life and life is poetry. I was introduced to poetry at a very young age and had wonderful teachers who inspired me to read and write poems.
I believe that poetry can change your life. I also believe that poetry can heal. Our nation needs healing right now. We are facing a very deadly virus and have been told that there is a possibility that many thousands will lose their lives. The thought terrifies me and saddens me deeply. Hopefully the numbers of people affected will decrease substantially. This pandemic has hit hard in many countries around the world. This is why more than ever we must understand the concept of oneness. Prayer, meditation, and yes reading poetry will help us cope with the tragedy of what is now. I refuse to think beyond that; i must stay focused on the now. We have little control over what may happen as a result of this deadly and highly contagious virus.
I believe in hope. We must believe in the ingenuity of our scientific and medical researchers because we do have the best of the best working hard to find the therapy and finally the vaccine that will work.
Please join me in celebrating National Poetry Month by using poetry to help us heal and to comfort us. Join me to celebrate a Poem in Your Pocket. Look for poems that inspire and fill your heart with hope. Share poems with love ones and even perfect strangers. Write poems. Dedicate a poem to someone who is laboring to make a difference in all of our lives. Share poems via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and any other social media outlet. Let us make poetry viral surpassing any other medium. Surprise someone with a poem inside a greeting card. Remember that poetry is life and life is poetry.
God bless you all and may poetry bring you joy and hope during these very scary and difficult times.
Yesterday was a historic day and no matter what side you take, we are obligated to go back and seek the wisdom and even the not so smart doings in our history. It is said that history repeats itself. It is also said that it takes many lives to learn our lessons well.
I am encouraged to look for the teachings of all great leaders but also of the horrible ones. We must read with careful analysis and be able to make intelligent inferences. In the end it boils down to one very important concept: To thyself be true and the truth will prevail.
QUOTES
God bless America!
“From the outset, Hamilton feared an unholy trinity of traits in a future president — ambition, avarice and vanity,” – Federalist Papers
“How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!” ― Thomas Jefferson
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”Amendment I,
– The U.S. Constitution
“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” Thomas Jefferson
“Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.” -Thomas Jefferson
Because today I have been thinking about so many things at once, I decided to stop thinking. Our political scene which filled with mindful and mindless debates, continuously infusing cleverly crafted alternative facts are driving many of us to drink. It truly saddens me. But we must continue to listen mindfully. I came across a few quotes that calmed my busy mind. I want to share these with you today just in case you too are drained with all that is going on.
“You must understand the whole of life, not just one little part of it. That is why you must read, that is why you must look at the skies, that is why you must sing and dance, and write poems, and suffer; and understand, for all that is life.” – Jiddu Krishnamurti
“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.” -John Milton
Poemattic: Poetry and Art for the Soul 
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