Country Savvy

I am a Conservative. I am a Conservative woman. In some circles there are names for Conservative women i.e., dragon, dog, mata hari, fire-breather, etc. I totally supported the tax day tea parties. And even though I was unable to participate, just my support of such activities makes me a “racist redneck.” Sticks and stones.

A friend of mine wrote in his blog about dividing political factions in his extended family and how he was concerned these factions could cause a big disruption in his upcoming family reunion. He also referred to the Civil War and how that caused broken families in its aftermath. Is the Civil War a blot on our country’s history? I think not. Slavery had to be abolished and it started with the Civil War.

I cannot relate to Michelle Obama’s statement about “for once being proud of her country.” I have always been proud of my country. I think of the people who came together on the soil they called America and created our Constitution and our Bill of Rights because they had strong convictions we should be a free people and were willing to fight for those convictions. If they hadn’t, where would we be today? I think of the people who came through Ellis Island. Why did they come? And why do they continue to come? Because America is the best and has the most to offer. It’s simple. By the way, if you’ve never read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights you might take the time to do so. You’ll be inspired and proud to be an American all over again.

Becoming a Conservative, card-carrying Republican, did not come easily to me. It took many years. My first vote at age 21 was Republican primarily because my father was a Republican. Years went by and my ideas began to change (probably a little youthful rebellion against my father) and I saw myself as a Democrat and stayed with that party for a long time. Then one day, someone said to me – it doesn’t matter how you feel, it matters what you think. Huh? So I started thinking more about what I truly did believe and came to the conclusion I actually did think like a Republican. I believe this country belongs to the people. I believe in low taxes and small government. I do not believe in a person’s right to have an abortion. That too took many years of thinking it over. But now I see it so clearly for what it really is. Roe v. Wade gave women the right to commit murder. There is only one choice there. Those who believe in the right to have an abortion call it the “choice” agenda. On the other hand, those who believe in the “right to life” are actually the choice givers.

I believe Capitalism is what works in a free society. People should have the right to work and earn money. If they succeed and become wealthy, more power to them. If they choose to help others that is their choice. It shouldn’t be forced upon them. I believe if we should all become financially equal, nobody wins. It would upset the balance of things and force us to become dependent on the government and subsequently remove all traces of individuality. A drone society accomplishes nothing.

One more thought I want to share is about the possible investigation into treatment of the terrorists (or whatever they are calling them now). I see it this way. Mr. Keith Olbermann appears to have taken it upon himself to clear up any and all past behaviors of our country. Quite a task. If only…………If only Hitler’s mother would have had sex with a different man Germany and the world would be a better place. If only……..If only Walt Disney had created Tugboat Tillie instead of Steamboat Willie, then we’d all be wearing Minnie ears and Mickey would simply be an afterthought. If only is a game that goes nowhere.

Over 3,000 Americans were slaughtered on September 11 through the acts of terrorists. If there were people who were involved or had information regarding that slaughter then I say do whatever it takes to get that information from them. The crime was committed on September 11. That was the crime. Subsequent actions that were taken to identify those criminals were absolutely necessary to protect the American people from additional attacks.

It would be suicidal for Obama’s presidency to even consider bringing charges against whomever he deems guilty for these actions. America would be perceived as weak and therefore become vulnerable to more assaults.

Our country is in trouble.  I pray every night that God will lead us where we need to go.  Yes, I am a Christian Conservative Woman. 

So yes, I am a Conservative woman. Any past similarities to the ideology of the Democrat party have gone the way of the hula hoop and Disco. I outgrew them long ago.

This is a tough one. I’m convinced I don’t know half of what I thought I knew at age 25. Of all the people I’ve known and continue to know, you’d think friends would be my best subject. “Best Subject” – a term we used in High School. I figure friends come in 3 colors. Good friends – they will always be there for me. Friends – they might not always be there for me. And Acquaintances – I know their names and faces, but we don’t really know each other. Over the years, I have been blessed with a large circle of friends and acquaintances. I thoroughly appreciate all of them. I believe they have added value to my life. My circle of “good friends” is somewhat smaller. These are the people I know beyond the shadow of a doubt I can count on any time. I cannot place a value on these relationships as they are priceless. So who are these good friends? Most of them I’ve known for at least 20 years. We’ve been through hell and back together. And they’re still there. They accept that I’m not perfect and they’re still there. Each of them have seen me at my worst and they’re still there. There is one good friend who has stayed with me nearly all my life. And there is my sister who is one of these good friends and she still claims me after knowing me all my life.

The good friend who has been with me the longest (with the exception of my sister) knows of my intense dislike of snakes. On a hot summer afternoon, we were sitting in a shady covered area by her house and I spied a slithery creature approaching. As I spoke her name, she immediately recognized my tone of voice and rose to do battle. I was so impressed with her bravery that I wrote a poem about the incident. I called it “My Friend Once Killed A Snake For Me.” The poem was amateurish in construction but the content was unmistakable in describing my affection for her.

Good friends are hard to come by. They require mutual investment and cultivation. I couldn’t begin to tell you how good friends are recognized from the beginning. I suspect they are not. How can we know that one person will be with us always. Knowing that requires caring and recognition of a special bond that grows over time. The old cliché` about “to have a friend, be a friend” is so very true. Exceptional friendships don’t just happen. In each case, I have wanted to keep that friend close to me. I have worked at it and I believe each of them has also worked at it. When distance becomes an issue, it takes extra work to “keep the flame burning.” But I also believe that each one of these good friends are so very special, they might have remained my friends regardless.

As I write this, each of these people are in my mind and I think about our times together and how dear they are to me. It has been said that people come together because of things they have in common and I’ve been thinking about that. Each person is unique and I love that about them. They are not all the same by any stretch . To me, each is one of a kind. So with all these “one of a kind” people, what do I have in common with them? Oh sure, we may like the same kind of music or like to travel or agree on important issues and sometimes disagree. No, it’s more than that. When I am with them, I feel well…….comfortable, completely relaxed and safe. That’s it. Safe. I am safe to be who I am and I know I can trust each of them with who I am and not be judged. Finding that safety zone with someone is like striking gold. Eureka! I have found it! And I feel so blessed for that.

Here’s a few good thoughts about friends: “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” Walter Winchell “It’s the ones you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter.” Marlene Dietrich “Close friends make the music sound sweeter, the wine taste richer, the laughter ring louder.” Judith Viorst “You can always tell a real friend; When you’ve made a fool of yourself, he doesn’t feel you’ve done a permanent job.” Laurence J. Peter And one more “A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.” Bernard Meltzer

Talking about friends would not be complete if I didn’t include my husband and my son. My son and I have been through so much together that I consider him to be in that special group of good friends. He knows me inside out and loves me anyway. My husband and I have not always been good friends. It has taken a very long time in our relationship to develop this friendship and there are no words to describe how grateful I am for us to have reached this point. It is something that can never be taken away from me.

When I go through “the valleys” I know these friends will be waiting for me on the other side and some of them may even walk through the valley with me. Why – you might ask – do I believe these friendships will last forever? Well, that’s easy. Because we know too much about each other.

I hope I continue to make friends for the rest of my life.  And when all is said and done it would be an honor to have someone say about me  “she was my friend.”

Something that must not be overlooked about friends is never to take them for granted. Think about the times when they have given up their time, their energy, and themselves just to be there when you needed them. I think about it. And I am truly thankful for it. My part in this friendship is to be there for them right back. That’s my job, my responsibility and the least I can do for those who have welcomed me into their lives and not let go. God has given me these precious gifts and I’m not letting go.

How much time do we spend with our parents? Unfortunately, both my parents have passed away. But I can look back through the years and recognize the times when I should have visited more often; made one more phone call; and, should have written more letters. A friend of mine says “don’t should on yourself.” She’s right. What good does it do now? Recently, 3 sons of a member of my family gathered to visit with each other in the same town where their parents lived. Out of the almost 3 days they were there, they spent approximately 30 minutes with their parents and that was only 2 of the 3. Since that time, no words have been spoken to indicate they are even aware of how rude and disrespectful their actions were. These are not children. They are grown men. I have no control over any part of this situation and that’s probably why it bothers me so. I can do nothing, absolutely nothing about it. So here’s the part where I should just let it go. Hopefully I can do that and do it soon. But right now it still weighs heavily on my heart. I loved my parents very much and I am fully aware of the times I did not show them the respect they deserved. But I am certain I would never have been in the same town where they lived and not spend more than 30 minutes with them. Thanks for listening. This was something that’s been on my mind and I just had to share.