Lynn Slaughter Novelist
Blogger
Creative Writing Instructor

It’s often said that two things can be true at once: I’m Exhibit A. I’m profoundly grateful for my beloved husband, family, and dear friends. I’m thrilled that my long-time publisher, Melange Books, has offered me a contract for my ninth novel, and that I get to write books, work with wonderful creative writing students at the Louisville Academy of Fine Arts, and sing with Joyous Singers, a senior chorus in my community.

And this week, I’m lucky to be in Denver visiting my Colorado son and family. I accompanied my college-bound granddaughter on a tour of the University of Colorado’s Boulder campus. Now I do have to admit that the two-mile tour of campus nearly did me in, given my spinal issues. But the campus is gorgeous, and the university offers a wealth of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students. I can see why it’s my granddaughter’s first choice.

I also got to spend time with my grandson, who turned twelve this week. He is the sweetest young man, and one heck of a basketball player. I got to watch him in practice and was so impressed, not only by his skills but by his work ethic. His passion for the game reminds me of my passion for dance in my dancing days.

The night of his birthday, our rendition of the “Happy Birthday” song was followed by two lively birthday songs in Spanish (My daughter-in-law is Mexican-American). I love the diversity in our family. In addition to the Mexican branch of our family, my  eldest grandson is African American. It has enriched all of our lives to come from different backgrounds.

But I have to be honest. Along with my immense gratitude, I’m filled with so much anger about what’s happening in our country. How is it that a sixteen-year-old can break into an elementary school and slaughter children and a teacher in Oregon? How many more school shootings must we endure before our legislators adopt a sane gun violence prevention policy?

And then there’s the horrifying cruelty of ICE, the abandonment of Ukraine as they struggle to defend themselves against the thuggish Russian aggressor, and the struggle of everyday Americans to pay their bills. Why does my son, a dedicated high school teacher, have to take a second job at night delivering pizzas to support his family? He’s hardly alone. An estimated 71 %  of U.S. public school teachers have taken on second jobs to pay their bills, according to a recent report by the Walton Family Foundation. So much for our supposed commitment in this country to education and our educators.

I could go on, but I’ll stop. I didn’t sign on for an administration awash in cruelty, chaos, and corruption, or for these folks in Congress too frightened to speak up.

Our only hope is to vote for leaders who actually care about the welfare of folks, not to mention the survival of our democracy.

I pray for better days ahead for our country. At the same time, I remain grateful for the blessings in my life.