Maybe we get by with a little help…………..

Humor

I was inspired by a Republican.

I know, you didn’t really expect that from me. I don’t do politics here, and this isn’t that.

My friend Dave likes to tease me about being a bleeding-heart liberal. But it’s truly all in fun and we do have sane, respectful conversations.

But Dave blew me away yesterday. We were at a lovely birthday party where he greeted me with “welcome to the Republican convention!” then with true pleasantries put aside, he told me he is volunteering at a local food bank.

For the entire summer and perhaps beyond, he will spend several hours a week at a local food bank. I don’t do that, do you?  And he still works parttime.

I asked him how he felt about this experience two weeks in.

His biggest take away so far is that he had no idea how truly desperate so many people are, especially in his area, whiech is fairly affluent.

And that’s it right there, isn’t it?

He had no idea. Those of us who are fortunate enough to lead lives of relative prosperity have no idea. I include myself in that. As much as I like to believe I have the heart and soul of well-oiled liberal thoughts. I still, often, have no idea of the deep-down-and-dirty reality of other peoples’  struggles.

There are many ways to go with this. But for now, I’d just like to say.  Maybe we could all volunteer for a day, an hour, a week, a month, a summer and see what enlightenment brings. I’m looking into it, how ’bout you? Let’s all just get a real idea. And then maybe we can come up with some workable ideas that all of us can get on board with.

We can, I know we can.

Not Just Laughing now, but not crying either….looking for a way to come together.

©2018 Cathy Sikorski

 

 

 

15 thoughts on “Maybe we get by with a little help…………..”

  1. Cathy. What a rewarding and learning experience this has been. I shared at the food bank and all including me were very moved by your article. Let’s all get involved. Lord knows this world needs it.

    1. We can work together to make this world a better place. We have to stop letting others divide us. Thanks for reading and sharing, Dave!

    1. Thanks so much. Laurie, You really never know what will resonate with readers! Happy 4th of July!

  4. This is such a simple, timely, important story. Will you share it on Facebook so I can share? I’m having friends tell me I should ditch really good people, even though I’m not quite ready to give up on them, yet. Getting rid of them doesn’t eliminate the problem. THIS is a small, local solution. Thank you.

    1. Yes, Mary, I will. I was actually trying to correct a Facebook sharing problem with my blog and this essay was just a ‘test’. Not really meant for publication. But the response is heartening, so I will post it for sharing. Thanks. And yes…..we all have to do better.

  5. Cousin Cathy,

    I have been on the ‘stop trying to inflame the situation’ bandwagon for about a year. I remain conservative, but don’t subscribe to any part of the Trump dynamic as it pertains to governnance or comportment.

    I will acknowledge that the government is leaner, which I support ideologically, and I will acknowledge that the economy remains fairly resilient. However, I attribute these two conservative objectives less to clever execution, and more to unforeseen side effects of incompetence. More importantly, I am concerned that the fallout from the incompetence will shortly override any incidental positive outcomes.

    Most importantly, I think we have no chance for consistent powerful improvement unless we find a way to focus on cooperation, common ground, and productive disagreement.

    1. Yes, Phil, we need to find a solution to merely coming together to talk about problems and issues. That means all sides must be listeners and admitters. If you can’t be a listener and admit that all of us are wrong about something we will struggle for far too long to get ahead as a nation.

  6. very good and heart felt. very good to read and know that all people and politics aside we can and will work together to help others. thanks sharing . put a smile on my face.

    1. Thanks, Jerome. I know you and I probably don’t always agree, but I cherish that you have come back into my world and am so grateful for all the comments and support you have given me since I began writing. You and Marian have a wonderful day!

    2. Oh Jerome!! How did I miss your commment?!? Thanks and yes, we can help each other more often than not…EVERYTHING Aside!!! Love to you!

  7. Yup. We go about our lives and don’t notice that not everyone is as fortunate as we are. I take my husband to the Trenton train station five days a week and see the homeless and mentally ill there every day. That’s why I chose to serve on the board at my county’s National Alliance on Mental Illness, and that’s why my author book profits go there. I’m so lucky to not “NEED” the money from my book. I hope someone who does need it, benefits from it! If we each give back just a little bit…oh how much better the world would be.
    Please continue to share your story about your friend who has different political views than you do. We can still care about one another even if we don’t agree on every single thing.
    Share love and kindness…PLEASE

    1. Thanks, Leslie. Just you saying, ‘continue to share your stories about your friend,’ brought tears to my eyes. Becuase, he IS my friend, and I would never leave a party without hugging him or acknowledging that we can differ but find common ground. I am working very hard these days to research HOW we can come back together, because we can and we must. Blessings to you on this Sunday afternoon.

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