A Plea to Calm Down
Lots of sturm und drang about Donald Trump's recent appearance at Arlington Cemetery.I've seen memes, posted even by friends I know (or thought I knew), actually wishing for Trump to die a horrible death because of this supposed faux pas. To say I'm disappointed in my friends might be an understatement.
If I'm understanding the situation correctly, it's not Trump's behavior that should be questioned here, but that of President Biden and Vice President Harris, as well. Apparently, all three of these officials were invited by members of the Gold Star families who lost loved ones at Abbey Gate, yet neither Biden nor Harris even accepted the invitation (see article, below). Needless to say, some of these families are furious at the president and vice president.
This is less a rant than a plea to friends and acquaintances.
Maybe wait for all the facts to come in before reacting to the latest news.
Consider accepting the possibility that maybe there's "the rest of the story."
Maybe take a moment to re-read "Desiderata," still lovely after all these years. Published in 1927, the poet encouraged us to "go placidly amid the noise and haste" and to "keep peace in your soul."
He reminded us that, "With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world."
Maybe try to remember, too, the words of our mothers--the wise ones, anyway--"This, too, shall pass."
I will try to do the same.
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