I Do Believe In Change

In no little part because of the love and pride I just saw in Bill Clinton's eyes and because of the satisfaction and gratitude I just saw in Michelle Obama's eyes. Hillary Clinton is right, we have a hard road ahead of us. I believe that the only way to begin that change is to have faith in a man who has faith in us. Not a man who has great wealth. Not a man who has great power. A man who has great vision and the optimism that has propelled him to keep up the fight against steep odds. A man who knows what it is like to be a minority in your own country. A man who knows that if you want something you have to earn it. While I may not agree with everything Barack Obama believes, I have faith in his vision and ability to make this country a better place for us and to build the beginnings of a better future for those who will come after us. I believe that a fundamental change in how we see ourselves, our place in this world and the way we deal with our global neighbors is the only way to move forward.

Happy Birthday Gramma and Aunt Doris. I love you and miss you *^_^*

The Circle of Life

I was driving home from the downtown library this afternoon and was stopped at a red light waiting to turn left. Across the street a dove dropped from the sky, landing on the sidewalk on his back. He was frantically trying to right himself and within a very short time, became very still. I watched in horror as I realized what was happening and my mind began to race. Could I navigate traffic in time to reach him? If I did get to him, what could I do? In reality, I was already too late and nothing could be done. I had a good cry, and drove home.
This incident reminded me of another several years ago. My Partner and I were returning from a trip to Cocoa Beach. We drove past a large pasture where a calf had gotten himself onto the wrong side of the fence. He was running alongside the traffic trying to find a break in the fence. I could hear him bleating in fear and it tore at my heart. Another driver stopped and ran after him. I hoped he would be able to catch the animal, calm him, and return him to the pasture. It may have been his keeper, I don't really know. I only know that I was grateful that someone was trying to help.
I have always been way too empathetic. It is very easy for me to put myself in another's shoes and imagine what they are feeling. Human or animal makes no difference. I had nightmares for months after my Grandmother died. I kept imagining what her last moments were like. A similar thing happened when my Partner's Stepfather's Brother-in-Law passed. In this case I felt for his Widow. They had been married 70+ years. I couldn't deal with the pain she must have felt over losing him.
I avoid the news often because of this. Especially "human interest" stories. There is too much suffering in this world. It has taught me that no matter how bad I might imagine my life to be, it is very easy to find someone who is really suffering. I hope that tomorrow is better.