Nancy's Notes

Today is 1-21-21, and right from the get-go, I want to state that this is not a political editorial. I could not write a political editorial right now, even if I was paid to. I stay as far away from politics as I can, because I have come to a strange and difficult quandary in my life when I can’t or don’t want to relate to either of our political parties. But I refuse to feel hopeless or helpless.

Today is 1-21-21, the first day of a new administration in our country. And while I may not like all the new people in our government positions, I respect them and admire them for stepping into what must be frightening territory. So much has happened in recent days and weeks, and it is sometimes overwhelming, generally confusing, and always unsettling. But that doesn’t make me feel hopeless or helpless, either.

Today is 1-21-21, and I believe the time has come to stand up, with outstretched arms, and reflect on the words spoken by John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” There is always something I can do to help someone who is down on their luck, something I can give to promote or increase the good, something I can say to thank a person for their influence in my life.

Monday was a day set aside to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Being a federal holiday, many offices, banks, the postal system, etc. were closed. I enjoyed a morning holiday from the housing authority, and during that time I did some reading, and I discovered a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. that sounded like he may have said it just a week or two ago. King said, “In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”

The past year has certainly been a time of “unfolding conundrum of life and history,” but I don’t want to think of it as being too late: too late to change direction; too late to change attitudes; too late to agree to disagree but still live together, work together, and respect each other. No matter how deeply our country is divided, we cannot allow it to be too late to work together and truly be “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” As Dr. King said, we cannot allow ourselves to be apathetic or complacent. This is once again, a time for vigorous and positive action for each and every one of us.

Today is 1-21-21, and I pray for our new president, vice president, the new cabinet, and everyone who is to be installed into new positions, that God would give them wisdom and discernment as they lead our country. I pray for more vaccines to be administered and the coronavirus to reduce its grip in all countries, not just our own, so that everyone can get back to work, serving others in whatever ways we can. And most of all, I pray for peace and civility in our nation, so that we can rise up and truly BE the UNITED STATES of America.