BY JOELLEN COLLINS
I barely have the constitution and courage lately to express any political quandaries with which we have been exposed to in a time of great division between segments of our democracy. One can’t read a newspaper or watch TV news broadcasts without being disturbed, angry or even frightened by the prospects of a suggested constitutional emergency. However, I am not used to writing political comments, and at this stage, other excellent observers are. It’s out there for you to examine sans hate mail or death threats for taking a stand opposite that of vengeful groups.
Instead, I’d rather savor my beautiful experiences over the last couple of weeks. It’s tempting to share happy moments with friends and readers. I should refrain from smiling while writing about the sweetness of my granddaughter’s bat mitzvah. For those of you unfamiliar with this Jewish tradition, let me mention that a bat mitzvah is the female version of a boy’s bar mitzvah and is one of those celebrations of life encouraging the best in everybody who participates and to the child whose future is being reinforced by the ceremonies and efforts of family, rabbi and gathered friends and relatives witnessing this sacred moment in a 13-year-old’s life. Naturally, I was proud to be one of the two loving grandmas and to welcome so many good friends and family who were part of the honors. Enough of that memorable event.
My other recent joy merits explanation. For many decades I have missed my “kissin’” cousin, born 10 days before I was, who was like my twin sister until we moved away when I was seven. The intervening years were filled with very different life experiences for us, and a separation that pained my heart. That she and her daughter drove far to spend two nights for a reunion is one of the most beautiful things I have experienced. We chose not to analyze why the separation had been so long and so hurtful. It was one of those unbelievably unexpected blessings.
The last ten days I have had such healing, beautiful, and loving experiences that I am delighted I have lived this long to enjoy them. I am content with being a “senior.” Thank goodness I still have faith that even though I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, it could easily be something as precious as these two events. I am thankful to be alive and to have spent the majority of my existence being able to be with people where we loved, accepted, and respected each other as valuable human beings.
So, after this positive reflection, I feel constituted to tackle the actual words of our Constitution, ready to carefully examine it again. I would hope that other American citizens will study this document, so we really understand what that language conveys. We don’t have to accept lies or be given some biased interpretation but read the words for ourselves. Bless all of you for being able to do that and think our way through this current period.
