This is a glimpse into my twenty-months-long saga of sadness. Mind you, it’s not depression; I know the difference.
It began rather inauspiciously with the discovery (in late October 2020) of a child – and grandchildren – I’d never known about for 40 years. Children I’d never held and comforted. Children I hope to meet some day, even if I’m not yet free to reveal our relationship, if ever.
On other matters, my sadness arose from deep disappointment about others’ actions, or even from my own anger as I struggled to find the good in others.
There was, of course, the 2020 election and the ensuing conspiracies, widespread hatred, outright treason, and eventual threats to kill one’s neighbors. Soon, I began witnessing one “patriot’s” escalating threats to kill me, my wife, my granddaughter, and numerous neighbors, all because of the so-called “stolen” election. My neighbors have tried to work toward a thoughtful, peaceful, & compassionate resolution, but the threats & insults continue to this day.
And there were the frequent “hints” that those who had guns – that is, the Second Amendment “patriots” among us – were ready to start shooting in an outright “civil war” to save America. (As if those of us who chose NOT to vote for #theOrangeHairedOne don’t have guns ourselves?) So I’ve spent a bit of time talking with our local FBI agents.
Early into the following year (2021), I became embroiled in a controversy within Albuquerque's Community Policing Councils (CPCs). I’d advocated openness and transparency while considering one possible council member, whose political views I deeply disagreed with. I'd offered opportunities for cordial conversations to understand & resolve those issues through "back-door diplomacy," to no avail. I asked for help & guidance from high levels in the U.S. Department of Justice; I got none! In a moment of morose humor, I opined, "Blessed are the peace-makers -- for they shall be raked over the coals!"
The past year has presented one crisis after another, sometimes actual life-&-death emergencies. I will eventually share some of those stories here as comments.
Remember: Copyright © 2022-07-04, Mike Kruchoski, All Rights Reserved.
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