As the weather warmed, I discovered what appears to be a peony in my garden, where there was never one before. Although it’s outside the bounds of where I would have planted a peony, I’m hopeful it will thrive.
The news is grim—of worldwide maneuvers toward authoritarianism in our country that I might never have imagined when I was growing up. Oh, I recall the world looked bad then too. There was a time when I felt so hopeless that I sat on the floor of my bedroom to write a letter. I was somewhere between 11 and 14 years old; it was jointly addressed to Nikita Krushchev and—Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson…? I don’t recall which president, but I recall my handwritten plea… for them to end the threat of nuclear weapons and work together toward a peaceful world.
I never sent the letter — perhaps because without Internet I had no idea where to send it or maybe because whatever drills we’d had at school subsided as the temperature cooled between Us and Them.
Or did I just lose faith in my small voice?
Watching world events of late, I’m worried for our democracy. Recently, I found an organization that restored my faith—in the combined force of many voices. Many voices voting.
With hope, I’m supporting Movement Voter Project. Movement Voter Project supports groups that work locally, neighborhood by neighborhood, to extend the power of democracy by educating and enrolling voters. Inspiring change by organizing people to be active in their community, learn the issues, register to vote, and vote for what they hope and need. Isn’t that what democracy means?
I’m grateful to have found them and give them my support.
And I’m hopeful that my peony will be encouraged by the multitude of blossoms on its exuberant neighbor, the magnolia.
I’ve signed on with them too as am also terrified of authoritarian trend, esp Heritage Foundation using Trump as front man. Let’s keep using our voices and all resources to stop them.
I have hopes for this group, too, and am happy to support them rather than just wringing my hands in worry and fear.