Kathie Costos
July 6, 2023
What still matters to all of us? That is the question all of us need to start asking before we begin to open up a conversation that all too often divide people. That happened to me today.
I came out of my doctor's office and another car like mine was parked next to it. A nice couple was standing outside of theirs and we started talking. Yes, I'm one of those people that talk to everyone and usually about a lot of things.
We talked about how much we love our Subaru Outbacks and how few miles we had on them. We talked about living in Rochester NH and how our neighbors were nice. We also talked about our fur babies.
The wife showed me her dogs and cats and I showed them Charlie. He went to the vet today and at only 3 months, he's already over 30 pounds.
We talked about our health issues and a lot of other things. Then we started to talk about how everything we talked about matters on a human level. We all felt that when people put politics above what really matters, we all lose. I know I've lost a lot of friends I thought I knew because their political ties mattered more to them than the bonds of friendship.
Our generation grew up with political topics that were banned from family gatherings. We were able to focus on what our lives were all about.
Sure we had different points of view, but no one focused on them unless it was to tell a joke and no one got bent out of shape because when that happened, there was always one of us to tell a better one. Then the topic was dropped because one joke led to another about something else.
Yes, I have a political point of view, just as most people do. The thing is, mine is not more valuable than your real life. When I post something political it is based on sharing thoughts that may help you see something differently. If you disagree, I love a good debate as long as it does not turn into personal attacks. We have to face that with too many people when they hear something they don't like, they turn it into an attack of the conversation killer labels. It makes the subject of the attack feel as if they just don't really matter to the attacker. I walk away from them and will not subject myself to that again. Life is too short to spend time with someone that hates what I think.
So, my question is, will sanity return to humanity in this country again, or has it gone too far? I'm still hoping for the best and after today, I know it is possible!
