Feeling joyful, and hopeful for our grandkids

Feeling joyful, and hopeful for our grandkids (a post DNC posting)

I know we are all extremely busy. But sometimes you see a picture that triggers a music video that triggers some joyful thoughts that are accentuated when you read a meditation – and then you feel compelled to write it down for your grandkids to read years from now; and for your friends and family to know where your head and heart are at.

(This piece is an unapologetic ode to the Democratic National Convention and the amazing American tapestry of speakers that gave it their best. They spoke to me. Their language is universal – for those that want to hear and listen). 

This morning, our youngest son sent us the picture of our youngest 1-yearl old grandaughter literally doing her first act of civil disobedience, protesting against the closing of her neighborhood playground that happens to be next to the house of the vice presidential nominee of the Republican Party. JD Vance. 

My first thought?  Why did this man – who supposedly wants to serve the people – force the closure of a neighborhood park instead of him and his family simply moving to a more secured place for 73 days, till election day? THAT would have been a selfless act, an act signaling that he is thinking of others, not himself; something he – and his running mate – seem incapable of doing.

Then I read the weekly summary of the daily meditations from Father Richard Rohr, including one authored by a Native American Episcopal priest highlighting the value of ancestors:

https://cac.org/daily-meditations/ancestors-and-wisdom/

In reading this, it brought tears to my eyes as I remembered some of my own ancestors’ loving care of our familia. Of course, I also remembered the pain cost by other ancestors because of their self centered, selfish ways. And thus one of our major challenges: Understanding where we come from, being proud of our heritage, and criticizing its errors and working to correct them. Always with joy, always looking forward to a brighter future. 

Today I choose the joy of meditating on goodness rather than darkness. I am not forgetting the darkness of the past. Never forget! But I refuse to be shackled by the venom of hate, the misguided language of wrongful appropriation of selective Christianity, or the misplaced nationalistic, limited, small use of the word ‘patriotism’. 

It is the hopeful joy of the future that keeps me going. It is the hope that my grandchildren will grow in freedom, be joyful, be centered in a compassionate faith, and care for each other, their friends, familia, neighbors, community, and Mother Earth.

Thus I turned to music 🙂 “Teach your children well”. (I hope they update this version to reflect this week’s happening 🙂 )

https://youtu.be/dQOaUnSmJr8?si=-P8HqMJ3GIhN6GGZ

To Coach Walz, I say: “Put me in Coach!”

https://youtu.be/JaG7ENoIuDE?si=WIHzeZz79cyF6CAi

And to our future Madam President Kamala Harris: Freedom!

https://youtu.be/yh91lO-PU0o?si=uhm1DbwtTZbL8kwU

(Listen to the end 🙂 )

And: Just for fun, a totally ‘feel good’ video – more Freedom (from Jon Batiste):

https://youtu.be/3YHVC1DcHmo?si=MJCxpIPJjQTKsMxe

And yep: I will do my part so that this November we elect two folks whose values align with ours; two folks that while imperfect and with whom I disagree on certain core issues, I am highly confident can lead us in a democratic way, a way that engages the common folks in exta-ordinary – and yes, joyful – ways.