December 28, 2010 03:53 PM UTC

please...

• 9 Comments
• by: Duke Cox

I guess the purpose of these diaries is to express our thoughts and feelings in order to share and discuss them with others…

This isn’t necessarily political…but then, it might be.

I am currently visiting my mother, who lives in Texas. She remarked to me yesterday that this was “the best Christmas I can remember”. The reason for her particular joy was the realization of a long standing prayer… All five of her kids were with her in her church for services on Christmas day. What a joyous time.

My mom is 78 years old, so this a big deal to her. And to be with all my siblings at once is a very rare treat for me, as well.

But this early morning, as I sit alone while the rest of my family sleeps, I cannot help but contrast that joy with the sorrow contained in the simple comment the open thread by Pols user “nancycronk”, regarding the fatal auto crash in Texas.

What an awful tragedy. One of countless others but all the more notable, perhaps , because it comes at a time of year when we are most hopeful for happiness and peace. Incidents like this remind us all of the fragility of our lives.

I must admit to being a bit overcome with emotion myself as I contemplated Nancys’ heartfelt statement. In the last few days, I have been listening to some very sad stories from my extended family about their struggles with survival in “the New Corporate Economy”. It is deeply troubling.

Taken altogether…it can be overwhelming. The world doesn’t seem to make sense. Fear…selfishness…anger…wars…disasters…and on and on. It seems, sometimes, as though there is no hope for us…That pain and suffering and economic decline are inevitable. That peace is impossible…that happiness is vanishing from the landscape.

But then, I recall the glow on my Moms’ face, standing in the pew with ALL of her children…the easy laughter of my brothers and sister as we wasted an evening playing poker at Moms’ kitchen table. The outpouring of welcome and generosity from my Moms’ friends and neighbors.

And so…now that I have regained my composure, I want to ask each of you to consider one simple request…

please…

just love one another…please.