Take Nothing for Granted

AI: The word complacency in neon lights

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Greetings to this week’s new subscribers…I’m so grateful you’re here!

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Dear Readers,

Please accept my apologies for being MIA since the last post on March 18th. I was busy with an annual fundraiser our animal advocacy group does every year. That was held on Saturday, March 22, and was (once again) a great success.

We raised $25,000 for the cats and dogs who will benefit from better health through spay and neuter surgery and vaccinations they might never get otherwise. We target lower-income families who often can’t afford these costly services.

(Don’t worry, guys, you’ll thank us later!)

Unfortunately, I didn’t wear a mask to this large indoor event and managed to pick up an infection. Having CLL/SLL makes me immunocompromised and more susceptible to bacteria and viruses. It also makes the symptoms more intense and recovery time longer.

After the double whammy of pneumonia and a secondary infection in October, I swore to be diligent, which I was for several months. But alas, being human gradually makes us grow complacent over time, and boy, did I pay for it these past two weeks (which feel more like two months!)

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Complacency is a far more dangerous attitude than outrage.

I certainly am guilty of that regarding our democracy here in the United States. As students, we learned about the key events in American history: the Colonial period, the Revolution, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Industrialization period, the Great Depression, and World War II.

But it was primarily dates, places, and notable people—“surface” facts that aren’t nuanced or tell the complete backstory. In our school’s defense, they had a lot to teach us during those years, so our classes summarized the main events in age-appropriate terms. Unfortunately, this included whitewashing the ugly, shameful parts.

I didn’t take history classes in college, where I assume a deeper examination takes place and the truth is finally told. I also didn’t study American history independently, which would have better informed me.

That’s my fault. I was busy working and raising a family. The few minutes I had before passing out at bedtime were spent reading fiction. In some ways, I was trying to escape my problems. I didn’t want to add to them, so I stuck with stories that were the products of someone’s imagination. Real life was just too hard to deal with, my own and those of others.

Complacency (noun) - an instance of usually unaware or uninformed self-satisfaction

I grew up thinking I lived in one of the greatest countries in the world. It was great because of the diversity of our citizens. We welcomed everyone to become a part of our American family, and our family was stronger because of this.

We learned about the tenets of American exceptionalism: democracy, freedom, liberty, equality, justice, and opportunity.

I took it for granted that it would always be this way. Never did I imagine that we would be at risk for things like fascism and white nationalism. After all, we had checks and balances to prevent these things, right?

I can’t describe what it feels like watching all that is happening today. I’m still in shock that Trump was ever elected the first time, let alone the second time.

It took four months to muster the strength to begin the long journey of resistance. Until then, I couldn’t read a headline, watch TV, or listen to podcasts. I completely disengaged. It all felt so hopeless.

And some days, it still does, especially after being so sick and trying to regain my energy.

But, I’ll tell you what helps me the most: hearing from folks in other countries who understand that not all Americans voted for this or want this type of government. There are still good people in this country who are terrified about what’s coming next, myself included.

Their words of compassion and empathy are like a healing balm on this open wound of my heart.

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I guess my point is that complacency can be dangerous, whether it’s not wearing a mask to prevent illness or assuming that something will continue to exist just because something has always existed.

This life has no guarantees, and we must remain diligent in protecting what we value. This involves making good choices daily and being informed, active participants in our governance.

It cannot be left up to others.

My plan for my sixties was to enjoy family, do puzzles, read a lot, craft and create, and do whatever else struck my fancy. I didn’t have political protests and resistance on my bingo card.

But we never know what’s next and must not take anything for granted.

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