It is hard right now not to be thinking about the upcoming election. We are marching ever closer to a general election that has the power to completely change the future of our country. It has me thinking about Sheila, frequently. Watching the progress of Biden vs. Trump had me terrified more than hopeful.
When you are the parent of a child with such a visible disability and you hear the nazi like rantings of an attention seeking, power hungry old man, it is terrifying. There were even moments that I felt glad she was no longer alive. When someone exclaims, they will be a “dictator on day one” and they are constantly saying they will destroy their opponents, it is hard not to see him emulating Hitler. When you know this candidate uses Mein Kampf as his play book and his lackeys used it as the basis for Project 2025, it is alarming.
Anyone that knows history understands how having a fascist dictator went for people with disabilities and who happened to be Jewish. To think that one of our candidates seeking the office of the presidency would ever take similar steps is beyond belief. Oh, you think that wouldn’t happen? Think again. It is naive to think it can’t happen again.
What does this have to do with spreading light, you ask? Dear friends, that is a great question. Sheila lived her life spreading light, love, and joy wherever she went. It is hard to be hopeful and to spread light when two old men were vying for the top spot in government. As much as I admired Biden for being just what we needed four years ago, age is catching up with him.
When he heard the calls of the people saying, ‘we want someone younger, more relatable;’ instead of operating on ego, he stepped aside and threw is support over to his vice president, Kamala Harris. A spark turned into a conflagration, and it is burning ever brighter. Finally, I am feeling a wee bit hopeful. At the same time, I don’t want to get ahead of myself.
And yet, still there is hope whispering in my heart. It is so much easier to get up and move through a day when there is a thread of hope weaving through your thoughts on a daily basis. Who would want to live in darkness if they can live in the light? Apparently, there are many people in this country that just don’t see the darkness in their candidates, no matter what they say and do. But we have two very different choices right now.
We can choose the candidate that embodies fearmongering, lies and hatred, or we can choose the candidate that exemplifies light and joy. We can choose the person that tears apart, destroys whatever he can, or we can choose the person that raises others up, puts the people first.
I will be choosing hope. I will be looking for a leader that realizes we must look to the future and not dwell in the past. There is no place for hatred and vengefulness when leading a country.
Sheila was not able to vote as we were her guardians, but detested scenes of violence and hatred that she witnessed during the reign of terror from 2016 until 2020. Sheila taught our family so much about unconditional love, joy, hope and living in the light. She would spread sunshine and happiness around, everywhere she went. She spread the light. When I go vote, I will spread the light, too.
Such a powerful message! I am going to vote for that light, too! For Sheila our beacon of light & joy!