Originally published 1/6/2020 on FB Notes
35 degrees, cold and clear in Duluth, GA.
Today holiday break is over for students in Gwinnett County and families who follow that schedule. So today for me it is my “New Year.”
Time to get back in the routine.
I headed out to the Labyrinth with my warm cup of tea and toboggan to greet the sun.
On New Year’s day, Joe and I had cleared the leaves from the Labyrinth making way for clear paths in 2020. It was apparent some things had changed in just a few days. A giant limb had fallen almost completely blocking the first path.
What do I need to pay attention to today?
I immediately thought of the news I had heard this morning about the potential war in Iran. My mind jumped to my FB friends who shared beautiful cultural sights that the US President is threatening to destroy. To the pictures of lines of young troops at the airport shipping out. To the messenger conversation, I had yesterday with a military mom who I love as she worries for our Nation and her child.
How things have changed in just a few short days from the New Year.
Our safety, our children’s safety, and peace has been threatened. Not from an outside source, although that may be coming, from within.
We all need to pay attention.
I know this is not an easy topic but I received very clearly this morning, my intended path blocked, that is one we all need to look at and take action on. Today I will be writing and calling my Congressmen to have my voice heard. Say No to War. As I carefully went over the big limb since I could not move it myself I said prayers for peace and justice.
I know the rationale given for the bombing the current president initiated was an American contractor’s life lost and I am sad for his family and those who are grieving him.
I hold that in my heart as well as the statistics from Brady United on lives we lose yearly due to gun violence here in our country:
Every year, 113,108 people are shot. Among those:
- 36,383 people die from gun violence
- 12,830 are murdered
- 22,274 die from suicide
- 496 are killed by legal intervention
- 509 women are killed by their husband or male dating partner
I know it feels like a jump but I was thinking about how we cannot allow the death of one person to start a war that will cost many more lives and secondary trauma especially when it is being used as an obvious excuse (if our leaders truly cared about a citizen’s death they would do something to address the above statistics).
As a daughter of a Vietnam Veteran and granddaughter of a WWII injured veteran, I know personally about how war lingers and impacts so many.
I also know the value of our soldier’s lives.
There are so many things to be distracted by right now. So many “shoulds” and “ought too” (boy my Texas is showing there) that it can feel overwhelming.
As I was walking, listening and praying this morning I thought about an incremental step I can take, what can I with my one small voice do?
I will be calling my congressmen this morning both in the House and Senate to leave a short, clear message. I know sometimes it feels futile but if thousands of us stand up and say no it can make a difference.
Make sure you and your friends are registered to vote.
his is a big election year and as we know ELECTIONS MATTER.
I will also be retreating with elders this weekend to pray for our country and the world. I know this work must be done on many levels and we need all the help we can get right now.
As I stood in the center of the Labyrinth this morning singing my prayers for our children and the world my voice clogged with tears.
The prayer of St. Francis called to me from my youth:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy
Wrapping you all around with infinite love & wisdom today and always,
Christine
P.S. if you need help finding your representatives’ info here is a good link:
Also for my local folks:
Rob Woodall (R) U.S. Representative (202) 225-4272
David Perdue (R) U.S. Senator (202) 224-3521
Update: Kelley Loeffler (R) U.S. Senator – being sworn in today – Phone: 202-224-3643
Update: Left msg for Woodall, Spoke with Perdue’s office and Loeffler’s office (same number as Issakson’s old number)
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