This has been a rainy day. Not sure how much rain we have received but there are puddles everywhere. I have a nice sized pond in my yard.
I took the appreciation gifts up to the Detention Center. I spoke with the Captain and a Lieutenant and presented the gift. They seemed to be most appreciative.
Kathy and I had to move our cars to the street. We are expecting a delivery of lumber for the room addition tomorrow and due to the rain they may need to use the drive by where we park our cars to drop it off. The back alley and back yard is one big puddle.
I got my laundry done today – it is even folded and put away. I hadn’t folded it for two times of doing laundry so had a bit extra to fold today. Good to have everything folded and put away.
I called the doctor’s office that billed Max for removal of scar tissue of ovaries or fallopian tubes. The lady that answered the phone sounded skeptical at first but when she pulled up the record she went Oh my. She put me on hold and then came back and said she would have to call me back. It will be interesting to see what she says. I found the paperwork I can use to file a fraud case with Medicare. I will give the office a chance to explain themselves and then decide what to do.
Tomorrow I am driving to Council Grove to meet some dear friends for lunch. It will be good to get out and have a deep conversation. I do better when I get a chance to have conversation with friends occasionally. I always feel lighter afterwards.
No plans the rest of the week. I will need to go to Emporia one day this week and pick up a few groceries. I may do a Costco run as I haven’t done one for a bit.
I have been struggling lately with reading facebook posts and memes that use labels and ugly words to describe the “other” side. I wonder what we will do when this is over and we wake up and realize we are all on the same side? Name calling and labeling others isn’t sitting well with me right now. It keeps both parties stuck in the muck and does nothing to bring us together.
I realized I was experiencing a bit of fear to post the appreciation gift project on the Love in Action site. There are some that will immediately accuse me of being a Nazi – or worse – by the simple act of thanking the detention center staff for allowing us to do our project. How did we get to this point? Maybe a better question is how do we get out of this? Both sides are equally at fault and both sides need to take steps to heal the divide.
There is a very good article printed in HuffPost today that describes two different versions of Christianity. One is Vertical Morality that measures righteousness not by goodness to others but by authority, power and a moral code of right and wrong. This system demonizes empathy.
The other is Horizontal morality which prioritizes the well being of our neighbors, communities and personal relationships. It encourages us to act in ways that causes the least amount of harm to those round us, regardless of beliefs. This approach focuses less on obedience and more on genuine empathy, compassion and love towards others.
It is an interesting dichotomy presented and explains why the vertical morality is actually easier to follow and is more black and white with quick answers. The Horizontal Morality has way more issues of gray and not clear answers as each has to find their own answers.
It does help me to understand why people act the way they do. I can better appreciate their viewpoint and passion. I don’t have to agree with them but once I understand where they are coming from I can hear them.
It also feels like a great description of the two different timelines I feel this country is on now. When one gives their own personal authority away and follows someone else’s authority, it can simplify their life in some ways. I understand why people would choose that way now. I personally have chosen another way of being in this world.
Grateful for the ways the detention staff has allowed me to be Love in Action with the detainees, grateful for choices of which life path calls me to be, and grateful love is the way, even when it is messy.