Family politics

...more scenes from Baltimore

       
            He told her that she’d told him that I told her about when they both called me after I’d posted that thing.
            How accurately do you suppose that was transmitted?
            We are a loving family, even as we expand. We love to talk to each other, and learn about each other, and talk about each other in order to learn more about each other…which can lead to difficulties.
            Family politics are delicate, and when you add the additional layer of national politics, one must tread carefully. I love to see my family members’ passions rise over an idea or a person that inspires them to knock on doors, man the phones, be a mouthpiece for what they believe to be right. I learn from all of them, and tend to lean towards their passion when I’m in their presence. Not just passion. I lean towards their intelligence, their knowledge, their compelling arguments.            
            The problem is, I want to agree with everyone and bring everyone into accord. Too often I try to achieve that unattainable goal by attempting to speak for others, a doomed goal, even if well-intentioned. We will disagree and misunderstand. Hackles will rise. I have to let that be okay. I must let everyone speak for themselves, or choose not to speak at all.
      100% accord may not be attainable, but if we remain kind and open-hearted, we can disagree even while we love and respect one another. A noble goal for families, not a bad idea for countries either.
 
My 60th year in 60,000 words
Day 153: 252 words, TOTAL = 24,933; 35,067 remaining