The Power of Pears
Lately there are days when the only thing I'm capable of is painting a pear.
My heart and soul ache watching this intentional taking apart our precious democracy.
The assault on our systems of education, science, medicine, the arts, free speech...human kindness. The foundations of an almost 250 year history of a proud and shared government based on independence where we say we believe that "All men (and women) are created equal". Words we've fought to defend and words we are proud to call our own.
Despair is not productive. But it is motivating. After my day spent alone with my paints, my cat and this little pear, I know what I have to do. I have to speak up. To say that what this administration is doing is destructive and wrong.
We are built on a system of democracy that relies on values of human decency, fairness, opportunity, order and the rule of law. When we treat each other with disrespect, cruelty, indifference we lose our most sacred common values and we abandon ourselves.
Pears are not only beautiful but full of antioxidants, fiber, minerals and vitamins necessary to survive. We need pears and we need each other to affirm our goodness and ensure a self governing, democratic future for all those generations who trust we will do this for them. It is what our predecessors did for us. And so, as challenging as it may be, it is now our turn.
