No - these feelings were different. These feelings were more than just sadness. It's as if something was missing. As if, although I stand here living and breathing, as if - life itself - was somehow missing.
And then it hit me. I was missing.....well.....everything.
I miss planning a trip without the fear it will somehow be cancelled.
I miss seeing the smiles on peoples faces that are now often hidden.
I miss dining in a restaurant where everyone is treated the same.
And concerts. Oh, how I miss concerts.
But even deeper than that - I miss who we once were.
I miss comedians who could make fun of EVERYONE and EVERYONE would laugh
I miss movies when they were just movies and we could escape from reality for just a little while
I miss watching the news when they reported just the facts and we were allowed to form our own opinions
I miss being able to HAVE my own opinion
I miss neighbors helping neighbors
I miss kids playing outside
I miss families eating dinner together at the kitchen table
I miss standing for the flag
I miss men being able to open doors for women or call them beautiful
I miss politicians who served We the People instead of We the Lobbyists
I miss honest conversations with other people who share beliefs different from mine
I miss common sense
I miss when we had respect for one another
I miss when we loved our country
I miss when we loved our God
I miss quiet moments away from the social chaos
I miss personal connections
I miss empathy and compassion
I miss teachers who teach children to be leaders and not followers
I miss parents who do the same
I miss doctors who are driven by their oath and not their pocketbook
I miss actors who just act
I miss singers who just entertain
But more than anything - I just MISS basic humanity.
People are inherently good - stop listening to the very small number who say otherwise
We can do better.
We HAVE to do better.
It's not too late.
Our future depends on it!