OBJECTS IN MIRROR

Vacation Log: Stupid Mom Moment: Take Two

After a lovely morning at the zoo with a cranky ten-year-old, I thought the Cathedral would be a great next stop. After all, we were walking past Cathedral Ave. How far could it be?
FAR.

We started up the hill, and it was a big hill. Finally the Cathedral came into view. It didn't look far. (Mistake one) We asked a Fed Ex driver how far it was (he should know, right?). He said 4 blocks. Four blocks, that's something we can do after having already walked about six, plus walking all over the zoo. Up Hill.
With a cranky ten-year-old, and the 13 year-old-heading down hill fast, of course we can do it.

ANOTHER ten blocks later, we arrived at our destination, thirsty, tired, and all of us not so happy. There were threats made, and tears shed.
But the National Cathedral changed all of that. Within fifteen minutes life was better. The Cathedral was beautiful.

Presidents have been in that place. And God was there, too.

After walking around the cathedral, it was time for the National Mall. My middle kid, of course, thought there would be stores at the mall and he wasn't interested. Why would we go to DC and go to a mall. The girl thought that we could get a new pair of shoes.

But before we get to the mall, I have to tell you that small towns do not have the market cornered on friendliness or community. Our experience in DC was a great one. After a week, I have come to the conclusion that it is the friendliest city in the world.

Maybe because they live in DC, where they constantly see reminders of our history, of who we are; for whatever reason the citizens of DC understand community. Perhaps they aren't listening to the media or politicians who try to tell them that our country is falling apart and melting into a divided place where people hate one another and are divided by two colors: red and blue.

If you go to DC you'll see something totally different than that picture the media paints. But you have to take a bus, or walk through neighborhoods. Don't stay in the typical tourist areas. If you go to the real DC, you'll see America, a place where people look past skin color and nationality.

Maybe my glasses are rose colored. I'm sure I'm an optimist. I like being one. But as I sat on a bus watching people of four skin colors, and several nationalities, coming together to help a young woman with her baby and the stroller, my hope in this country was restored.

We should all be those people on that bus, forgetting how tired we are, how much we want to be left alone, or how we need to do our jobs. We need to think of each other and realize we're a nation of people who have more in common than not.

Maybe we should go back to singing that old Sunday school song: Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight.

Maybe we should stop listening to politicians, the media, and even Hollywood. It is great to be an American. It is okay to be proud of our nation and our history.

Let's melt blue and red into purple...just to spite the powers that be.