You are beautiful. This shows that these politicians can say everything they want to get a vote. This guy said he was against War. But just like when I was in College. A war about Weapons of Mass destruction when there were no weapons of mass destruction. So here we go again. Another War Mongral.
I'm sorry to be so wordy, but this experience feels important...
My mother died in September, just days prior to her 94th birthday, peacefully at home, surrounded by her last living immediate family and three caring hospice workers. If death has to be, Mom's was a good one, and one I'd choose for myself eventually.
In America, when the body is picked up the family is told that they need to "begin dealing with their grief", which means, "come straight to the funeral home to sign forms. Don't forget your checkbook!" Which was likely best for me under the circumstances. (Or I might STILL be stuck in this house!) Besides, I hadn't bought food specifically for myself in about 8 months, so it was time to start testing boundaries so firmly in place by circumstance for most of the prior decade. (Dad died at home not long before, just days after his 95th, and they had both needed care for years.)
So, I got the bill paid, and headed to Walmart to buy food specifically for myself...something I'd not done in a number of years.
I got to the check-out line with most of a cart-full, behind a young woman of perhaps 30, and what appeared to be her daughter of 10 to 12 years. It was hard not to notice their very stylish clothing, and their overall "American" appearance. (As I got into line I overheard them speaking Spanish quietly to each other, which is not uncommon here in the agricultural deep south.) I had acknowledged their presence in a friendly manner, as I try to always do, and they mine. Then after talking together (in Spanish), they waved me ahead of them in line, but for no reason I could determine. (We each had nearly equal amounts of groceries.)
At that point I mentioned to them that my mother had just died, not to elicit their sympathy, but simply because I hadn't said "the words" yet, and I needed to do so for healing to begin.
But then, after insisting that I precede them in line, the daughter started to unload my cart onto the check-out conveyer belt! (Even beer!) I tried to help them unload their cart, but they refused my help. Then the child insisted on putting my groceries (even the beer) back into my cart.
And when all was done, the almost silent child hugged me (with her mother's clear approval.) I admit it felt odd, but very welcome considering the circumstances. Then I thanked them as effusively as I was able, and left for my car.
Only a few feet out of the store I realized what I was coincidentally wearing...
And then I understood everything more fully. Their overwhelming use of English, their "American" clothing and appearance. And most of all, their apparent nation of origin, which they entrusted me with to a degree that to this day humbles me to me knees.
At times like this, it can be hard to remember things such as trust, and even joy. But even now there are events happening, both small and large, that make us realize just how beautiful and wonderful life can truly be, if we're willing to go an extra step with our eyes open for the love every human has somewhere deep inside.
Foofaraw & Chiquita, I have not seen your name for some time in comments in various places where I had, and I hoped you were well. Please know that I am so sorry for your loss of your mother. You have been so dedicated in caring for each of your parents, and I understand how hard it is to give them up in their Earthly lives, no matter how much a person needs to go, no matter how old they got to be. I am glad they could have long lives. It is a blessing to be able to be with them and see them through the hard times, even though it is hard to do.
Your account of your experience and the very kind people in the store is so very touching, and I appreciating your sharing it. You might not recognize me since when I renewed my subscriptions on Substack sites. somehow my real name appeared on here instead of the four characters I used, the first letter is still the same. Nonetheless, it is good to see that you still are here.
You’re welcome, and thanks for the smile your reply gave me. Yes, we continue to miss our parents every day, but we always have them in our hearts and in our souls. I believe that they look out for us from their new location, and they always know we love them.
I live with a person who seems to have no critical thinking skills and reacts viscerally to all the stories. In 2024 he was MAGA. Now I don't talk with him about politics if I can help it, so I don't know if he still supports That One. He believes all the scam stories, and got totally taken in by the Somalian day care scam video. He also still wants to buy a Starlink system for "better" mobile data signal. Gaahhh! I think I'll go walk the dog...
I understand. I'm not aware of a single relative I have, either here in the deep south or out west, that is not MAGA.
And this is not exactly your issue, but perhaps close enough for this comparison:
To this day, it stuns me that the somewhat similar "Haitians eating pets" lie ever gained any traction, even among MAGA's most proudly bubble-protected.
I did an analysis of every virtual impossibility that would have to take place for those accounts to be true, yet even a steam of near-impossibilities can't begin to "intrude" on the MAGA reality. *
And obviously the story started when someone in the White House related the all too real situation of immigrants being forced by poverty to eat pet FOOD. But since that might actually elicit sympathy, thay altered it in a way so awful that it could ONLY be received by MAGA with absolute joy.
How to we deflect attention from lies, when the lies are preferred to reality? I wish I knew, Amanda.
In the meantime, we must try to love to the very best of our ability. (Hopefully, enough love returned to hate will eventually short-circuit the MAGA part of their brains.)
1. Proven to be Haitian? (Hard to prove w/o passport)
2. Proven to have taken a pet (but not their own, and not simply feral. Collar, perhaps? Was someone perhaps seen spitting out a pet's locator chip at their kitchen table?)
3. Killed pet? (How confirmed? Was the pet seen being killed in public, or did someone follow them into their home, or just watch the pet killing through a window? All of which feels far more "creepy" than "likely".)
4. Eating the pet? (After all this, the "witnesses" are allowed to simply watch them have a family meal of a pet?)
5. No action taken? (No police reports, or reports of vigilante action against pet "eaters".)
You are beautiful. This shows that these politicians can say everything they want to get a vote. This guy said he was against War. But just like when I was in College. A war about Weapons of Mass destruction when there were no weapons of mass destruction. So here we go again. Another War Mongral.
Lori,
I'm sorry to be so wordy, but this experience feels important...
My mother died in September, just days prior to her 94th birthday, peacefully at home, surrounded by her last living immediate family and three caring hospice workers. If death has to be, Mom's was a good one, and one I'd choose for myself eventually.
In America, when the body is picked up the family is told that they need to "begin dealing with their grief", which means, "come straight to the funeral home to sign forms. Don't forget your checkbook!" Which was likely best for me under the circumstances. (Or I might STILL be stuck in this house!) Besides, I hadn't bought food specifically for myself in about 8 months, so it was time to start testing boundaries so firmly in place by circumstance for most of the prior decade. (Dad died at home not long before, just days after his 95th, and they had both needed care for years.)
So, I got the bill paid, and headed to Walmart to buy food specifically for myself...something I'd not done in a number of years.
I got to the check-out line with most of a cart-full, behind a young woman of perhaps 30, and what appeared to be her daughter of 10 to 12 years. It was hard not to notice their very stylish clothing, and their overall "American" appearance. (As I got into line I overheard them speaking Spanish quietly to each other, which is not uncommon here in the agricultural deep south.) I had acknowledged their presence in a friendly manner, as I try to always do, and they mine. Then after talking together (in Spanish), they waved me ahead of them in line, but for no reason I could determine. (We each had nearly equal amounts of groceries.)
At that point I mentioned to them that my mother had just died, not to elicit their sympathy, but simply because I hadn't said "the words" yet, and I needed to do so for healing to begin.
But then, after insisting that I precede them in line, the daughter started to unload my cart onto the check-out conveyer belt! (Even beer!) I tried to help them unload their cart, but they refused my help. Then the child insisted on putting my groceries (even the beer) back into my cart.
And when all was done, the almost silent child hugged me (with her mother's clear approval.) I admit it felt odd, but very welcome considering the circumstances. Then I thanked them as effusively as I was able, and left for my car.
Only a few feet out of the store I realized what I was coincidentally wearing...
https://bsgeneralstore.com/collections/t-shirts/products/the-gulf-of-mexico
And then I understood everything more fully. Their overwhelming use of English, their "American" clothing and appearance. And most of all, their apparent nation of origin, which they entrusted me with to a degree that to this day humbles me to me knees.
At times like this, it can be hard to remember things such as trust, and even joy. But even now there are events happening, both small and large, that make us realize just how beautiful and wonderful life can truly be, if we're willing to go an extra step with our eyes open for the love every human has somewhere deep inside.
(Well, most humans.)
Thank you for "listening".
That beautiful story brought tears to my eyes, f&C — thank you. So grateful to you for sharing it here. 🙏🏼
Foofaraw & Chiquita, I have not seen your name for some time in comments in various places where I had, and I hoped you were well. Please know that I am so sorry for your loss of your mother. You have been so dedicated in caring for each of your parents, and I understand how hard it is to give them up in their Earthly lives, no matter how much a person needs to go, no matter how old they got to be. I am glad they could have long lives. It is a blessing to be able to be with them and see them through the hard times, even though it is hard to do.
Your account of your experience and the very kind people in the store is so very touching, and I appreciating your sharing it. You might not recognize me since when I renewed my subscriptions on Substack sites. somehow my real name appeared on here instead of the four characters I used, the first letter is still the same. Nonetheless, it is good to see that you still are here.
Judy,
Thank you for your kind thoughts. I miss my parents every day, but death is a part of life.
I'll think I'll be around for a while, if only to irritate that bumpy, dumpy, frumpy, grumpy, humpy, jumpy, lumpy, plumpy, rumpy, stumpy Trump!
Goofaraw & Chiquita,
You’re welcome, and thanks for the smile your reply gave me. Yes, we continue to miss our parents every day, but we always have them in our hearts and in our souls. I believe that they look out for us from their new location, and they always know we love them.
I’m glad you are around. You are needed.
Helpful insight. TY
I live with a person who seems to have no critical thinking skills and reacts viscerally to all the stories. In 2024 he was MAGA. Now I don't talk with him about politics if I can help it, so I don't know if he still supports That One. He believes all the scam stories, and got totally taken in by the Somalian day care scam video. He also still wants to buy a Starlink system for "better" mobile data signal. Gaahhh! I think I'll go walk the dog...
Amanda,
I understand. I'm not aware of a single relative I have, either here in the deep south or out west, that is not MAGA.
And this is not exactly your issue, but perhaps close enough for this comparison:
To this day, it stuns me that the somewhat similar "Haitians eating pets" lie ever gained any traction, even among MAGA's most proudly bubble-protected.
I did an analysis of every virtual impossibility that would have to take place for those accounts to be true, yet even a steam of near-impossibilities can't begin to "intrude" on the MAGA reality. *
And obviously the story started when someone in the White House related the all too real situation of immigrants being forced by poverty to eat pet FOOD. But since that might actually elicit sympathy, thay altered it in a way so awful that it could ONLY be received by MAGA with absolute joy.
How to we deflect attention from lies, when the lies are preferred to reality? I wish I knew, Amanda.
In the meantime, we must try to love to the very best of our ability. (Hopefully, enough love returned to hate will eventually short-circuit the MAGA part of their brains.)
--------------------------------------------------------------
* "They're eating cats and dogs!"
1. Proven to be Haitian? (Hard to prove w/o passport)
2. Proven to have taken a pet (but not their own, and not simply feral. Collar, perhaps? Was someone perhaps seen spitting out a pet's locator chip at their kitchen table?)
3. Killed pet? (How confirmed? Was the pet seen being killed in public, or did someone follow them into their home, or just watch the pet killing through a window? All of which feels far more "creepy" than "likely".)
4. Eating the pet? (After all this, the "witnesses" are allowed to simply watch them have a family meal of a pet?)
5. No action taken? (No police reports, or reports of vigilante action against pet "eaters".)
Both the global headlines and the facts are exhausting and so sad. Thank you for all you are doing. I will reread.