Love Is All We Need

   “Okay, folks, it’s all over but the shoutin’,” my great-gram used to say. (She was an avid wrestling fan.) By the time you read this, the 2020 election will be over. Well, maybe. There may, indeed, be some shoutin’. So whether you are raising your beer in celebration or crying in it, the time has come to move on. It is time to heal the cavernous rift we have created between our families and friends who have differing political opinions than ours. Time to forgive ourselves for being pompous asses and forgive others for being the same. This won’t be easy, you say. Well, I’ve been thinking about this since 2016 and I’ve come up with a few suggestions. Here goes:

   • Whether you are celebrating or grieving, don’t gloat and don’t whine.

   • Sanitize your hands or put on your gloves. Put on your mask. Go out, reach across the fence, and shake your neighbor’s hand. (You don’t really have to “love” your neighbor. Respect would be a good place to start.)    • Agree to disagree…politely.

   • Kindness and good old-fashioned manners can be effective in times such as these.

   • No apologies are necessary on either side (unless, of course, things got REALLY ugly).

   • Be courageous. Make the first move.

   • There is good in everyone. Make a practice of searching for it. (Sometimes, this isn’t easy, either.)

   • Good food, old friends, music, art, and laughter can heal almost anything.

   This brings me to the issue of holiday gatherings. Between Covid and the election, lots of folks have decided to skip it this year. But some of us really need to see our loved ones more than ever because of these. Use the suggestions above plus two more. One, do not discuss politics or religion. And two, make no judgment. Here’s one more suggestion. When you are all sitting around trying to figure out what you CAN talk about, take a road trip. Come on down to Florence.* Shop, eat, and enjoy each others’ company. When it comes right down to it, all we have is each other. Now, join each other in a rousing chorus of All You Need is Love…All you need is love, all you need is love, all you need is love, love, love is all you need…

   *Please remember to wear your mask, social distance, and stay home if you are sick.