Ponderin’s of a Crone
Fix yourself a sweet tea and join me on the front porch to ponder what it means to be great in a divided America.
Welcome to the ponderin’ space! I’m an independent woman in my 70s, using my voice and passion for writing. In my reflections, you’ll find humor, wisdom, and a call to action to come together and create positive change. This blog post will discuss two examples of divisive politics tearing our country apart. But more importantly, I will offer a solution and a call to action for every one of us to come together, unite, and create positive change.
Join me in exploring our lives, experiences, and ideas from the perspective of a senior woman from the South. 🌼
The Southern Stereotype: Debunked (so we can ponder In peace)
I find myself ponderin’ a lot these days — life, the universe, and everything. As someone born and raised in the South, I am all too familiar with the stereotypes of people from these parts. But many don’t recognize the number of us who enjoy contemplating and reflecting on the big questions in life (we are not just a bunch of dumb*sses, y’all). After all, it’s part of our culture to do a good bit of front porch sittin,’ and when we do that, sometimes our minds wander to bigger things.
So, we ponder.
Writing has become my go-to medium for expressing myself and connecting with others from all corners of the globe. But with every passing year, the state of politics in America leaves me feeling disheartened and frustrated. I watch the news, and it’s easy to see how the media can shape our perceptions of what’s happening. Biased politicians and the news outlet that feature them lead people to believe Americans like me are all about giving (or receiving) handouts and devaluing life, but this is a sore mischaracterization. This brings me to my first ponderin’: the right to access safe and quality healthcare.
Ponderin’ Equality & Access to Quality Healthcare
Quality healthcare should include access to safe medical options for all, regardless of gender. Women should be able to choose the type of care that best suits their needs and is within their own moral compass. In other words, they should have access to comprehensive health care without judgment. I urge you to ponder when you’ve seen an elected official in total despair, shaking and enraged about reproductive rights. As far as I can remember, never. But when a love interest becomes pregnant, suddenly, things become different.
One must ask themselves what is truly going on here. It’s not just about reproductive rights; it’s about having quality healthcare at a time when modern medicine is making miracles every day. Yet here we are, with doctors too scared to even give basic help to women for fear of being thrown in jail. What kind of world is this? It’s hard to comprehend. Ponder that one.
When a Facebook Rant Leads to a Lesson in Public Safety: True Story!
My second ponderin:’ public health and safety. Now, regarding the right to bear arms, few politicians on any side are hoppin’ mad that little progress has been made. I’m lucky to have a full family life — my daughter, son-in-law, and four grandchildren mean the world to me. When we see children in schools and mothers in grocery stores losing their lives due to senseless violence, I can’t help but ask: Is anywhere safe anymore? Who among us isn’t sickened by the thought of children, grandmothers, and anyone else being in danger?
I’ve realized that it’s up to all of us — every American, no matter what side of the aisle we’re on — to make a difference. Divisive politics only worsen issues; we must start talking and finding common ground. We can do this, y’all! Let me give you an example. True story. A man I did not know on Facebook began attacking my perspective and experiences a while back. Enraged, he gave me his phone number and dared me to call him. How did I respond?
I called him!
I did. I called him!
Believe it or not. We ended up having a civil conversation. At the end of the call, he commented that we weren’t that different. Nope. There is a happy medium out there, folks, and it doesn’t take the news or politicians to find it. If “we the people” banned together, we could do great, fantastic, grand things. I want folks to consider that we could all unite and make a difference, regardless of our political views. So let’s come together and ponder that.
Ponder the Power of Kindness, Y’all
I want to leave you with something to ponder until we meet again — what does it mean to be great? Is it solely based on economic success and military power? We must focus on loving our neighbors and coming together in civil discourse. It’s time to put aside our differences and find common ground. Let’s engage in meaningful conversations, listen to each other’s perspectives, and work towards solutions that benefit us all. Remember what unites us: a shared love for our country and its citizens. We can move past this if we focus on finding common ground. Let’s take a moment to talk with each other and find solutions that everyone can be happy with. Prioritize unity and kindness. That is what will truly make America great.
Ponder on that, y’all, and while you’re at it, be sure to subscribe to my blog for thought-provoking content about everything from health and safety to kindness and current events. And don’t forget to check out my daughter’s publication Rainbow Weather! You won’t be disappointed. So until next time, keep pondering! ̣
Love,
CooCoo 💖🌈🐈⬛🟰🧶