My Dear Country

 . . . nothing is as scary as Election Day

But the day after is darker
And darker and darker it goes
Who knows, maybe the plans will change
Who knows, maybe he's not deranged

~ Norah Jones

Norah Jones wrote My Dear Country in 2004, her response to John Kerry's loss to George W. Bush.  In revisiting the song today, two months after Election Day 2016, I could not help myself.  Some of you will see the parallels; others will deny them.  My intention here is not to start a political argument.  But darkness does seem to be pervading our lives these days, no matter which side you lean toward.  I often feel like I am living inside a Harry Potter novel with the Forces of Evil shrouding the atmosphere.  Two days ago, Evil struck very close to home for me with the killings at Fort Lauderdale International Airport, a mere 40 minute drive south.  I have flown into and out of that airport many times.  There but for fortune . . .

But Russia.  I cannot see it from my window, but I remember well being taught to despise the "Commies" as a child growing up during the Cold War years.  In my mind's eye, I can still picture a scene in my living room, my parents watching intently as the black and white console TV informed us of the Cuban Missile Crisis.  We had a pseudo fallout shelter prepared in our basement, canned goods lining a shelf in preparation for our survival during WWIII.  Children were scared during this period, most especially during the air raid drills enacted at our schools.  "Duck and cover" in my school meant cramming as many children as possible into the space under the stairwell, behind the yellow rubber safety patrol raincoats.  (I can still smell that rubber.)  We tried to pretend it was all a game, but deep inside, we were scared.

And I, like many, am scared today.  Do not insult us for not "moving on" or "getting over it."  I try to focus on the Russian people, who may be as frightened as I am.  I call up Sting's song Russians and these lines:  We share the same biology / Regardless of ideology / What might save us, me and you / Is if the Russians love their children, too.  And I have no doubt that they do.  But their government has overstepped, and our response to that interference in our democracy must be addressed carefully.  I, for one, would feel much better if a calmer and smarter head was going to be in charge of those responses.  Preferably responses that were not delivered via Twitter.