The Greater Good

Hello.

It’s nice to see you.

Come in.

Sit down.

Would you like a cuppa?

I have chamomile but I can make anything you like.

(Nodding)

Okay. Maybe later. Sit down. Let’s talk. Yes it is true. I asked you here today because I would like to talk to you about something. Something important. (Quiet even voice. Kind in tone.) How are you feeling these days? I see that look on your face. We all seem to have it lately. These times we are living in are difficult. It’s one thing to read about times which shape our world. Times which become part of our planet’s major points in history. It is quite another to be living in them. (Looking into visitor’s eyes.) None of us wanted this. No one wants to be living through this. The alternative is death. I am not in any hurry to die. (Nodding.) I know that you aren’t either.

I know. It makes me angry too. And sad. And scared. We have to keep going. We have to work together. No, it’s okay. Don’t leave. I did not ask you here to tell you protecting your freedoms is wrong. The world is swirling about with people yelling in every direction...we have to decide what is important to us. We have every right to be free. If our freedoms were being infringed upon you would know it. You know how you’d know it? Because I would be angry too. I would be cheering you on. Sweetie, if you want to keep exercising your freedoms. If you want to get that job, have that career, buy that yacht, have those babies, build that life...we all need to work together. Now.

It is the one thing we have been missing. If you look into history. It is right there. The moment that the tide was turned was the moment that people stopped fighting amongst each other and began working together for the greater good. We all need to start working together towards that greater good.

I am not going to ignore the hard truths. I am not going to avoid telling you what you don’t want to hear.

Here is the truth:

Humanity is at war with an unseen enemy: COVID 19 and its variants.

Hospitals are filling up to the point they are calling other hospitals that are also filled to capacity looking for empty beds.

In order for us to turn the tide and begin winning we are all going to have to face our fears including the fear of losing our freedom. Not all of them. The freedom to not mask at this crucial moment. The freedom to say whether our children have to wear masks. We may have to surrender our freedom to kill time perusing stores and going to the movies for a few weeks too.

I know. Trust me I know. I have been limiting my interactions for close to a year and a half. I am getting tired of it. Damn tired of it.

What we can get back if we give up these freedoms?

Knowing we are safe from an unseen enemy.

Birthdays, graduations, weddings and births of new loved ones.

Climbing that mountain we were convinced we never would.

Falling in love.

Watching family and friends grow up and achieve their dreams.

Looking outside at your neighbors and knowing they are not at risk of dying a horrible death.

Getting a chance to see the world.

If we are lucky giving Mother Nature some much needed love in return for all she has given us.

The joy of knowing we made it through a very dark time.

(Nodding.)

No I’m not mad. I see that you aren’t convinced. I know...Freedom. I agree it is what this country was built on. But how was it built? It was built because people worked together through dark and difficult times. (Nodding. Listening.)

Okay. I won’t say more. I understand you are angry and need to leave.

Do me a favor?

When you get home and things are quiet, turn off the TV, the radio, the phone. Close your eyes for one minute, two, five...open them and walk through your home. Look at the pictures of loved ones, your spouse, your children asleep in their beds. Look at them and say, “It’s okay if you die.” (Eyes tear up.)

 You don’t want that. I knew that.

We don’t want them to die. There is so much death. Too much death.

It is really scary what’s happening. All any of us is looking for is a world we recognize. A bit of peace.

Slowing and eventually ending the spread of this disease will help us get there.

Lately I have been thinking of the song, “We Are The World,” do you remember it? Did you know those lyrics apply today? To what’s been happening. To what we can do in order to get through this.

Listen and decide for yourself.

We can make a better day. It has to be more than just you and me.

Because we are the world. We need each other.