“All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” is a wonderful book by Robert Fulghum. My guess it is full of the same things most parents instinctively teach their children.  In it, he shares valuable life lessons inspired by the simple wisdom we acquire during our early years. Please review the below partial list and think about the former President that so many are supporting and whether or not he learned these lessons in kindergarten, first grade or even by high school or by now:

• Share…not just with your friends. Hmm.
• Play fair. Hmm.
• Don’t hit people. Hmm or tell other people to hit people.
• Put things back where you found them. Hmm.
• Clean up your own mess. Hmm.
• Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Hmm.
• Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody. Hmm.
• Wash your hands before you eat.
• Flush…not people.
• Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
• Live a balanced life: Learn, play, draw, sing, dance, and work every day. Hmm.
• Take a nap every afternoon…but not in court.
• When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together…as Americans, we’ve always been able to figure this one out.
• Goldfish, hamsters, and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup—they all die. So do we.  Hmm.
• And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned—the biggest word of all—LOOK.   Hmm…keep your eyes open, not closed.

These simple principles remind us of the importance of kindness, curiosity, and connection.  My biggest heartbreak is Trump has caused us to lose our connection…that said, he’s not kind and he doesn’t appear to be that curious about things beyond power and money. 

Our country has disagreed before.  We have worked through policies we abhor.  We went through the Civil War, World Wars, Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement,  Jim Crow, the Great Depression, COVID…we go through it.  We are a county of many races, religions, cultures—a mixture from all over the world but not in my lifetime have I felt us so divided…never have I felt we have been so close to losing our democracy.  I believe so deeply in lawfulness, fairness, fair play, and community  that all of this is painful. 

I was just wondering if I am the only one with these feelings this morning…just wanting to get back to being Americans moving forward.