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My son has a book company that advertises that they publish “Books that matter.” It is true. He only chooses books that make our world better in some way. He learned that from his parents. Since our marriage 51 years ago we have tried to produce, promote, fund, create, and celebrate what really matters. My husband has changed lives. I have changed laws.
But during this time of Covid-19 I have realized that our efforts were not enough. Civil rights demonstrations in the 60’s, women’s rights in the 70’s, environmental actions in the 80’s and forward, LGBTQ commitments in the 2000’s, have all taken enormous energy, and our world still has lives that are treated as less equal than others. The things that have mattered to me still matter greatly, but I am ready to pass on the leadership to others. I believe that my role now is to support the others who take up the mantle. My heart aches as I watch the demonstrations, and I am terribly saddened at the young people who are not willing to wear masks to protect the vulnerable in our society, or even to trust what science tells us. I listen to Ecclesiastes when it says, “There is a time for every matter under heaven.” It is my time to rest. --Cynthia
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Recent events that are not pandemic related have had more of an impact as I am home more and have more time to pay attention to them. Matters and issues that were dormant early in the pandemic have come back to be dealt with. I have been more aware of tough situations and reached out to people more frequently than I might have otherwise. It takes a more deliberate approach since I won't see them in passing at church.
With the past weekend's events, I did get out of my semi-quarantine and join a peaceful protest, not my usual style, but important due to connections I have made in the last year. I would like to be more aware and sometimes I don't hear about coming events due to the current situation. Before this happened I was mulling over how I might change things and that is still a looming question. What is truly important for me to do and what are things that someone else could do? Right now it is very important for me to stand in solidarity with my African-American sisters and brothers. They are out there on the front lines every day fighting for justice for their community everywhere and especially in Tulsa where much has not changed in 100 years. It was a very emotional weekend that included my participation in the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation Symposium. The new issue for me and very important is the right to vote. The change to have to have a ballot notarized was one of the bills passed by the legislature here and so I decided to become a notary to help people vote safely. If people can't vote, we have fewer avenues for change. These needed changes have been put in the spotlight by the pandemic and the protests over the past ten days. --Carolyn What matters? To me, it's the well-being of my family, friends, community, and world. At a minimum this means that everyone is entitled to food, clean water and air, adequate housing, health care, education and opportunity. Inequities and deficiencies have been highlighted during the pandemic. Systemic racism and privilege at the expense of others are more apparent. The lethal effect of toxic government is highlighted. The need for radical change is quite clear. Many people have stepped up to meet the crisis and some believe we will be forever changed but I have my doubts. We've been here before. How has my response changed? I feel a greater sense of urgency to do what I can to help bring about change, now but even more so in the future when I can get out. Currently I'm donating more money and attending some zoom meetings about issues in our community. At an entirely different level I think I'm better at not sweating the small stuff, in other words figuring out that so many things don't matter. This doesn't come naturally for me! When a little bird ruined my prettiest pot of flowers to build a nest in it, I just laughed. I've enjoyed watching her sit on her four little eggs in the brown and dying remnants of my flowers. --Terese |
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January 2022
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