I’m glad to put winter behind me. Born in July, I thrive on warmth and sunshine. I’m not crazy about skiing, ice skating, igloo building or anything involving cold, wet weather. To me, winter is an excuse to drink hot chocolate, sit in the front of the fire, and catch up on reading.
So that’s what I’ve been doing. Reading, reading, reading. While I’ve enjoyed an eclectic range of topics over the years - cheesy romances, financial texts, and lifestyle magazines among them - my focus lately has been on American history. I’ve quoted Thomas Paine endlessly during this cold, politically-charged season.
“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country...”
Interestingly, I don’t see much shrinking at the moment. Putting aside the moaning over bias in the various media sources, I’ve been struck by the rabid passion evident in blog posts. Would we be so rude and hyperbolic if we had these discussions face to face? I hope not. In the stock market, massive swings from highs to lows can destroy the success of a portfolio. If our rhetoric each election cycle swings from extreme to extreme, how will it affect the success of our nation? Are these just the rants of anonymous cowards or do they represent the divided soul of the American public? The unity of response after 9/11 offered one answer, but were those days a snapshot of our greatness or a mere anomaly?
I noticed in my winter reading that in 1763 our nation was at peace with Great Britain and King George III. In thirteen years we evolved into a revolutionary society as defined by the Declaration of Independence. Thirteen short years.
I think we take for granted that this nation will remain united. Certainly I do. But why should that be assumed? As in 1765 with the Stamp Act and 1861 with the attack on Fort Sumter, single events can ignite the latent cinders in society.
Where will we be thirteen years from now? I have no idea. Another great book says that there comes a time to put away childish things. Is it time for us all to awaken from our winter-like complacency and actively participate in the decisions affecting our great country? Can we do it with courage, maturity, respect, and reason? Are we still capable of it? Or will the change of seasons find us back in a dark cave, hibernating and vulnerable to attack?
Looking out the window I see that Spring is here, and I feel my blood warming.
