Throw Your Own Parade

And Other Things to Do When You Can't Do Anything

Some time ago I had a friend who became a hospice caregiver. It was at the beginning of the first Trump administration and, like many of us, she was a woman who had spent her life working in support of progressive causes.

End-of-life care takes a remarkable breed of person. As she was describing her job to me and why it seemed to suit her at that moment, she gave a tired sigh and stated, “I can’t give anyone hope right now. I can only give them comfort.”

These words have come back to me these last weeks as I contemplate what to say about world events, even in my most casual of conversations.

I can no longer sound the alarm. The house is on fire and if anyone can’t see the flames it can only be because they are choosing to look in another direction.

I don’t have any brilliant political analysis to offer. That is left to people with far greater talent in this arena than myself.

Words of encouragement or action are hard to find. “Vote” has always been my mantra; “And help Get Out the Vote,” the tagline. But I feel dispirited by an electorate that would rather complain on Facebook in the present, than have voted – or helped others to do so - in the past. And that seem to do it again and again despite the most horrible consequences.

What I can offer is commiseration. I can offer empathy. I can say it’s not in your head, you’re not overreacting or alone. The only hope I can muster is that it gives others comfort as I know it does at times for myself.

And of course, in the midst of all of this, the business of life carries on.