I had to comment before I finished reading- “at home and unwanted” is a perfect way of saying it. Like, at least for me personally, it would be weird to drive down the highway to go visit my also very liberal parents( and we both live in blue cities) without seeing 5 signs like “Only Jesus Knows The Truth” , “Abortion is Murder” , and the world’s LARGEST American flag. And a few confederate ones. I don’t like it, and I often don’t feel welcome, but if it all disappeared I would wonder what had happened to the darker sides of my home.
This was great, Sarah! I certainly don’t feel like hopeless optimism is at play here. I’d call it necessary or radical optimism. It can be hard to navigate the monolithic mindset a lot of people have around different states, but you did a beautiful job .
Thank you! I'm trying. Where I fail is in my relationships with those closest to me in trying to look past the binary thinking and actions of those I love most.
I imagine you’re in good company when it comes to being frustrated by unwillingness to be open-minded. I experience that often. I think there is enough space in the heart to hold that frustration, because you know what you believe, with a desire to overlook a loved one’s closed mindedness and a desire to engage in meaningful conversations. It can all be held in love the way you’re holding your hopes for this whole country in love ♥️
I had to comment before I finished reading- “at home and unwanted” is a perfect way of saying it. Like, at least for me personally, it would be weird to drive down the highway to go visit my also very liberal parents( and we both live in blue cities) without seeing 5 signs like “Only Jesus Knows The Truth” , “Abortion is Murder” , and the world’s LARGEST American flag. And a few confederate ones. I don’t like it, and I often don’t feel welcome, but if it all disappeared I would wonder what had happened to the darker sides of my home.
This was great, Sarah! I certainly don’t feel like hopeless optimism is at play here. I’d call it necessary or radical optimism. It can be hard to navigate the monolithic mindset a lot of people have around different states, but you did a beautiful job .
Thank you! I'm trying. Where I fail is in my relationships with those closest to me in trying to look past the binary thinking and actions of those I love most.
I imagine you’re in good company when it comes to being frustrated by unwillingness to be open-minded. I experience that often. I think there is enough space in the heart to hold that frustration, because you know what you believe, with a desire to overlook a loved one’s closed mindedness and a desire to engage in meaningful conversations. It can all be held in love the way you’re holding your hopes for this whole country in love ♥️
This is another really beautiful piece!!
As a Missourian, you know this all too well.
Yes, I do.
Five star title! Great post.
Thanks. I liked the title when I finally landed on it ☺️
I'm interested to get a more dispassionate view on American politics.