I know I have friends who are feeling today what I was feeling four years ago. Devastated. Terrified of what the future holds. Sure that there must be some mistake. Wondering if it’s all a lie. Wondering if some miracle will change everything before the new president gets sworn in. I guess I just wanted you to know that I get it and I’m not going to judge you for whatever it is you’re feeling right now. And I’m not going to think less of you if you’re feeling scared.
I voted for Biden-Harris. I am relieved and happy they won. But I find I’m not even tempted to gloat about it. – Karen Molenaar Terrell
Van Jones’s words spoke to my heart this morning: “Well, it’s easier to be a parent this morning. It’s easier to be a dad. It’s easier to tell your kids character matters… telling the truth matters; being a good person matters. It’s easier for a lot of people. If you’re a Muslim in this country you don’t have to worry if the president doesn’t want you here. If you’re an immigrant you don’t have to worry if the president is going to be happy to have babies stashed away or send Dreamers back for no reason… ‘I can’t breathe’ – you know, that wasn’t just George Floyd, that was a lot of people that felt they couldn’t breathe… and you’re going to the store and people who have been afraid to show their racism are getting nastier and nastier… and you spend so much of your life energy just trying to hold it together. And this is a big deal for us just to be able to get some peace…And the character of the country matters. And being a good man matters…”
I am feeling incredible relief this morning. But… I also recognize that we’re not done. There’s still a lot of work ahead for all of us – red and blue and green and polka dotted – to bring equity and progress and healing to our country. The path in front of us is not lined with roses and unicorns – and I am already emotionally exhausted from the LAST four years. But I guess we’ve all got to take a collective deep breath and gather our strength and march on. The battle’s not over until every last person on our planet is free and safe. – Karen Molenaar Terrell
“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness…” – Psalms 30: 11
“…rejoice that evil, by whatever figure presented, contradicts itself and has neither origin nor support in Truth and good. Seeing this, we should have faith to fight all claims of evil, because we know that they are worthless and unreal.” – Mary Baker Eddy
God bless our country. God bless the whole world. No matter who wins this election we still have a long road of healing ahead of us. May God, Love, help us all – each and every Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green Party, Black, Brown, White, polka dotted, atheist, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, gun-toting, unarmed, flag-waving, anthem-kneeling, F and M and LGBTQ one of us. Amen. -Karen Molenaar Terrell
Only five more days. Whatever befalls, know that your humor and wit, courage and honesty, compassion and kindness, have mattered. You have made a difference in our world. None of the good you’ve done has been wasted. I am so grateful to know you – each and every radiant, rascally, raspberry-blowing rapscallion one of you.
The world needs you. May those weary wanderers athirst for a kind word in a desert of rudeness find comfort in your good-natured cheer. May the ascared and lonely find hope in the smiling eyes above your masks. May you bring laughter to those in desperate need of a healthy guffaw. May the the bigots, bullies, braggarts, and busybodies be transformed by your irrepressible, irresistible joy and good will.
Polish your kazoos, bring out the whoopee cushions, don your Groucho glasses and your Lucy wigs – avail yourselves of every tool in your Humoristian bag of tricks – and go out there and work your magic! Karen “Wingoof-Wingoov” Molenaar Terrell
We’ve learned a lot about ourselves in the last four years, haven’t we? We’ve learned what we’re made of, what needed to be fixed, what’s important to us, and what we love. We came together, worked shoulder- to-shoulder, side by side, bolstering each other up, sharing inspiration, sharing the ride, sharing a good laugh now and then, letting Love guide. We’re maybe not looking our best – we’re battle-weary, battered, bedraggled – but we’re not beaten. And look at all we’ve done together! We will always share this bond, my friend. – Karen Molenaar Terrell
Registered Democrat here. A few things – 1) I’ve never collected welfare. 2) I’ve never collected unemployment. 3) I’ve never been on Medicaid. 4) I’ve never had an abortion. 5) I’ve worked almost my entire adult life as a teacher.
More things: 1) Although I’ve never needed welfare, unemployment compensation, or Medicaid – I’ve never begrudged these things to the people who DO need them. I don’t mind contributing to a federal pot of money to help my fellow Americans who are in need. I consider that is one of the privileges and responsibilities of being a citizen of this country. It’s not all about me. It’s not “me first.” Being a citizen of the United States is about being a part of something bigger than myself. It’s about caring for the well-being of others in my country, too.
2) Although I’ve never had an abortion – was never in a position where that was something I needed to think about – I don’t believe it’s my place to make that choice for another woman. Being pregnant is a big deal. Childbirth is a big deal. Women die from these things. Medical decisions regarding a woman’s health should be between the woman and her doctor – and are not anyone else’s business. My pregnancies were planned and celebrated. I was healthy. My sons were healthy in the womb. We anticipated our sons’ births with great excitement and joy. But I can imagine circumstances being different. I have friends who had to make that choice – and I know it wasn’t easy for any of them. NO ONE IS FOR ABORTION. – Karen Molenaar Terrell
“…freely ye have received, freely give.” – Matthew 10:8
God, guns, country? Maybe y’all are reading a different Bible than me…? “Thou shalt not kill.” – Exodus 20 “Blessed are the meek.” – Matthew 5 “…they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” – Micah 4 “God is love.” – I John 4
You know what? Even on the challenging days – the should-have-stayed-in-bed days – there is still Love. There is still Truth. There is still Good. Nothing can separate us from what really matters – not lost phones, nor spilled juice, nor forgotten passwords. When it all shakes down, when the breakable shatters, still there is Love.- Karen Molenaar Terrell
There once was an adventurous fly who journeyed from his home in the sty he followed the bright lights to the stage in the heights and became famous that night by and by. – Karen Molenaar Terrell
Adventures of the Madcap Christian Scientist 