THE MAGIC OF WORDS

  As a mother, a teacher, a friend, and ordinary human being, I have found that words are important, particularly words followed or backed up by appropriate, timely action. Sad to say, too many people simply mouth the words and mean zilch, as their sincerity has long been used up with no replenishment in sight. Perhaps the cruelest words uttered are those which emanate from such people for there is no softening their crushing effect on people. For sure, the ameliorating effect of positive words at times of crisis is missing from   conversations or utterances from such a crew.

Too often we forget, accidentally or on purpose, to hear the words whose actions are controversial, at least in our eyes. Allow the words of explanation even if it seems academic. However, most unfortunate, there are blindfolds on the inner eyes of those tuned up to hear only dissonance and conflict. A prime example of such is the controversy of Rapinoe, of women's soccer. Now retired, she had the bitter experience of closing with a missed penalty kick. It happens. It was not meant as a derogatory statement towards this country or anyone within. 

It had nothing to do with her politics or lifestyle. It had no connection to anything other than a most bitter ironic last moment before a true talent retired. Period. However, small minds only harked back to the moment when she knelt in protest as the national anthem was played. At a time when such a gesture was taking place in many arenas. It was done with respect, no wild gestures or ugly words, simply a one knee bent display of concern and hope. Yes, hope that this country of hers, of ours, could help itself, be true to itself and its history, its traditions and hopes, and address the inequities within. To move itself in a long chain of self-evaluation and self-improvement. Here are her words and her wife's regarding that event and its motivation.

"This team is in special hands as I walk away, just like it always was, and always will be. Because that is what this team is all about. "We lay it all out on the line every single time. Fighting with everything that we have, for everything we deserve, for every person we possibly can.

"It has been my honor to play for our country, with so many incredible women, for so many years." Rapinoe ended with: "Thank you a million times over."

Sue Bird revealed that Rapinoe’s true motivation behind her activism and her protest during the national anthem was her “patriotism,” making it clear that it was “because she loved America.  Her patriotism has led her to lend her voice to those who need it,” Bird said in the segment. “When she started kneeling to protest racial inequality in the United States, she did it because she loved America and believed it could be a better version of itself.”

These sentiments have been acted upon by many patriots, from the founding fathers and mothers, continued down through the years, as in the actions of Lincoln, and others who both criticized this nation and citizens but deeply loved this nation and fought for its survival as a functioning entity, as a role model to the world.  Hopefully to continue as such well into the future. Only if we remember that and not be so quick to assign motivations and thoughts where they do not belong and never were.

We have so many other places where our fabric of nationhood is torn, needing immediate attention and repair. The words of a president encouraging, fomenting rebellion, the violent attempt to overturn that nation's government. Words of ugliness abounding on both local and national levels, of politicians on both the right and the left. An ugliness which pervades, growing in quantity and vitriolic intentions and results, sending its fetid waters to flood the nation and drown any last vestige remaining of America.

I have seen so much beauty and potential these past few months, with the wonderful hopes and wishes and prayers sent our way for Yitzy; by the concerns so many have shown, with complete strangers approaching me and asking how Yitzy is, adding their best hopes and promises, to keep praying for him. 

This nation can be so good it can amaze one, take the breath away. On the other hand, it can be so savage, so nasty, cruel, offensive and intolerant that one is totally taken aback, left in a frightened state of mind.

Who are we? Who are we supposed to be? Can we find the true answers and grow into that truth? I certainly hope so, actually KNOW so. We can overcome the bad, the evil, the tragic misuse of words to hurt, and turn it around. But only if, especially if, we join together, mesh our goodness with each other, form a net of caring and safety and love over this nation -together. The only way.

Together.

We can heal the nation.

HEAL THE WORLD.

HEAL YITZY!

Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah

May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu. 

 AMEN. AMEN