I live in deep flyover country and have also lived “on the coasts,” as people here call California and the northeast. I agree that you can have a meaningful life anywhere, because “you” are there. Thanks Reena.
Absolutely, Emily. I always say something to that effect to. Besides, there are good people everywhere regardless of political choices which are complex and hardly ever single issue decisions. Besides how are we going to get ahead without seeing the humanity in each other? Thanks for your comment, Emily!
I love reading your stories and learning new things about you… Anurag on a motorcycle, Jim and your illness. And I so often admire your thoughtfulness and insight. Thank you writing and sharing. It enriches me.
This is such a lovely piece. And such a reminder that it’s really kindness that counts. I live in the Bay Area and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else but it can be a hard place sometimes.
Absolutely. My brother and I disagree on most everything, especially politically, yet he bought my book and sent me a picture of it on his table this morning. We have moments where we transcend our differences.
So sweet and wonderful to hear, LeeAnn! Love that you and your brother rise above your political differences. I can't imagine sacrificing family over political differences. Not even friendships for that matter. Even though I have strong political opinions. Political issues are complicated, as are we, however "logical" we may think OUR choices are. But we're all lost in a strange new hubris.
I'm somewhat horrified by the increasing accounts I read/hear about where families break off relationships over politics, esp kids estranging parents! It seems like a uniquely American affliction of recent times, accompanied by elevated mental health issues. It's just fundamentalist religious thinking in "secular" garb. Thankfully in the culture I come from, family and duty to family are sacrosanct, and for sure sometimes to a terrible fault, but to sacrifice people who love you at the altar of politics is simply madness! The politics has to be really extreme--e.g., LITERAL calling for murder etc--for it to matter THAT much.
Thank you for reading and your thoughtful comments.
Oh I hear you LeeAnn. I’ve struggled too, especially when I was younger! Regretted it every time I gave political views too much importance vs the human qualities and the relationship. And I’ve changed my mind too on many issues I was so very sure of 😱 so there’s that! 😃
I live in deep flyover country and have also lived “on the coasts,” as people here call California and the northeast. I agree that you can have a meaningful life anywhere, because “you” are there. Thanks Reena.
Absolutely, Emily. I always say something to that effect to. Besides, there are good people everywhere regardless of political choices which are complex and hardly ever single issue decisions. Besides how are we going to get ahead without seeing the humanity in each other? Thanks for your comment, Emily!
So true!
So beautiful...
Thank you !
I love reading your stories and learning new things about you… Anurag on a motorcycle, Jim and your illness. And I so often admire your thoughtfulness and insight. Thank you writing and sharing. It enriches me.
Aww thanks, Susan. That means a lot especially coming from you. Hope you're well.
Thank you for this.
Thanks Sherman! Good people everywhere.
Nice! Who are “flyover country people” - never heard that term before?
Thanks Raj. It’s a condescending term for people who live in the middle of the country that coastal elite claim to “fly over”. Unkindness.
This is such a lovely piece. And such a reminder that it’s really kindness that counts. I live in the Bay Area and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else but it can be a hard place sometimes.
Thank you LeeAnn! Yes. Absolutely. I live here too and love it; just that it’s important to remember good people are everywhere.
Absolutely. My brother and I disagree on most everything, especially politically, yet he bought my book and sent me a picture of it on his table this morning. We have moments where we transcend our differences.
So sweet and wonderful to hear, LeeAnn! Love that you and your brother rise above your political differences. I can't imagine sacrificing family over political differences. Not even friendships for that matter. Even though I have strong political opinions. Political issues are complicated, as are we, however "logical" we may think OUR choices are. But we're all lost in a strange new hubris.
I'm somewhat horrified by the increasing accounts I read/hear about where families break off relationships over politics, esp kids estranging parents! It seems like a uniquely American affliction of recent times, accompanied by elevated mental health issues. It's just fundamentalist religious thinking in "secular" garb. Thankfully in the culture I come from, family and duty to family are sacrosanct, and for sure sometimes to a terrible fault, but to sacrifice people who love you at the altar of politics is simply madness! The politics has to be really extreme--e.g., LITERAL calling for murder etc--for it to matter THAT much.
Thank you for reading and your thoughtful comments.
Thank you for your note. My brother and I have struggled to bridge that divide at times so this was especially sweet.
Oh I hear you LeeAnn. I’ve struggled too, especially when I was younger! Regretted it every time I gave political views too much importance vs the human qualities and the relationship. And I’ve changed my mind too on many issues I was so very sure of 😱 so there’s that! 😃
People and Places - and the Precious mark they leave on us 💛 Enjoyed your share so much.
Yes! Thank you Pragalbha.
Thank you for sharing this, Reena. Jim and his wife Janet sound like they were wonderful neighbours.
Thank you Neil! Yes they were incredible human beings. Bless their souls.
Reena, this was a WONDERFUL post! Thank you so much!
Michele
Thank you so much Michele. So glad you liked it.