SNWJ: Come Together Right Now, Over Baby

Come Together Right Now, Over Baby

John Paul Derryberry

In our current polarized climate, we are not treating each other with respect. There is anger on social media and conflicted interactions, both locally and nationally. This seems to have us feeling alone, isolated, and confused. Two weeks of congratulations, well wishes, and gifts coming in from all sorts of people since the arrival of our second baby reminded me how much more we have in common than we think. Do not get me wrong; this isn't some post about how we need to set aside those differences and find common ground, even though there are cruel activities happening daily. The amount of greed and selfishness makes it hard to breathe, and we have real quagmire of problems.

What this last two weeks reminded me of was how many of us can overcome those differences and attempt to engage in real give and take relationships. I received congratulations from single parents, straight parents, LGBTQ parents, Christian, Muslim, and Jewish parents. Well wishes came in from Democrats, Republicans, and I'm sure some Independents, from people who have no kids to people who have lots of kids, people well off to people not so well off. It was a great reminder that the life my wife and I lead provides a welcoming environment. An environment, where a devoutly religious person and an atheist can both feel connected to us, makes me smile. 

I always comment that I'm not breaking any new ground with my blog. This fact remains true but what it sells short is that this space brings people together. Every week we think, emote, and know that whatever life my readers walk, I have space for them. That's what I needed when I struggled with my weaknesses; space to figure out who I was. That's what I want to provide for my readers, audience members, friends, and my daughters. 

We came together for a brief moment for the birth of my second daughter. It was a great moment and we need to acknowledge that we have a lot more great moments than bad ones. I thank you for sharing in our joy even if you just passed through for a second. It was a fantastic second, and for those of you who lingered longer basking in the joy, good for you to remember that we must celebrate full-throated all the blessings life brings us. Thanks for coming together for my girls, next week we get back to changing the world. This week was a reminder of why I fight for a better one: all of you!