There is so much in my head. I hope my post makes sense. 

I have lived 71 years. I have seen a lot, heard a lot, and felt a lot. I am fortunate, I know, because I live in America, yes, and Texas. I know in many ways I’ve led a sheltered life and I don’t know the pains that others suffer. 

I was born at the end of World War II, in a world that wanted to begin again and make things better. I have lived though the Cold War and being afraid of Communists and atomic bombs destroying our way of life. I’ve lived though segregation and integration and the feelings of “how could we have treated anyone like that”. I lived through the assassination of a president and the impeachment of a president.  I lived through the Hippie age and the protests against fighting in Vietnam and the fear that any day my husband might be drafted and sent to fight. I lived through the fears that my children and their friends might be tempted by drugs. I have lived through the horrors of terrorism in our country and vicious attacks on our children and others by lone gunmen. 

But NOTHING worries me like what is happening now in our country. I thought our country was build on compromise and the fact that people could put aside their problems to work for a common good.  Instead, I see people polarized in their little groups, shouting over one another and never listening to what the other side is saying. Using words to inflame, using words to disparage, using words to hurt. 

Today I watched the memorial service for the slain Dallas police officers and the Dart officer. My heart like others is so saddened by this tragedy. I heard speakers of various races, religious beliefs, and political beliefs use words that were comforting, consoling, praising. I heard words that called out for hope and love and compassion. This is what we need to heal this country. We need people who are willing to step outside their own wants and needs and see what others are needing and feeling. We need people to compromise and to find healing words-not hurtful words. 

Most of all we need to create a world that is safe for our children. My daughter cried out I don’t want my child to grow up in a world of hate and fear. Nor do I want my grandchildren to live in such a world. We can make it a good safe place for the future generations if we learn to work together. We can teach all children how to love others and be thoughtful of one another and use words carefully. 

May the Lord bless us all and help us learn to work together.