I remember 37 years ago when we moved into our home on Prospect being told by someone, whose name escapes me, “Oh you’ll live next door to John and Judy Jagers. They’ll be great neighbors.”
Years later and I can say the unknown owner of the remark was 100 percent accurate. We have been very lucky.
As both our driveways lay parallel to each other creating one large driveway, it is this close proximity that has garnered us everyday glimpses into each other’s lives that one may not have with a neighbor further down the street. As the years have passed we’ve watched as the march of time has marred our lives forever changing our home’s occupants. Pets, children and family all coming and going.
This regular interaction has also bestowed us with glimpses of quite possibly our best and worst behavior.
Though I can’t recall ever seeing the Jagers at their worst, I know they have witnessed many examples of my children and my own less than stellar behavior.
Still they would just watch with interest at “what the heck are the Mikenases up to now?” But in all the years and all the wacky things my children and I have done we never felt an ounce of judgment coming from them, only kindness and support.
They along with many others in my neighborhood have made my life on Prospect Street a wonderful experience. People that have been respectful and kind, empathetic and understanding. Lately these seem to be dying commodities in our country.
Throughout the election my neighborhood sported signs that supported both candidates. I’ve never had an issue with that. The fact that someone has a sign in the yard stating a view other than your own doesn’t make them a bad person or the enemy. I believe in most cases they want the same things I do. They just believe in a different way of attaining them.
For now at least, in these United States we are all free to have our opinions and the Constitution guarantees us the freedom of speech. We all have rights – equal rights. Every person has a voice. It’s up to them how they use it. Do they allow their emotions to dictate their dialog or their heart, their humanity? I believe the only person truly capable of making one look foolish is oneself. Speaking on matters you really know nothing about or are based in lies bears the mark of a fool.
This particular matter is one in which I have been well-versed in a time or two in my life. If someone ticked me off I had a sharp tongue that was prone to letting them know what I was thinking. Age and experience has mellowed that tongue. It is after all just my opinion and I truly do not know what another might be going through. I will also say looking back at many of those outbursts I end up regretting the extent of my diatribe probably 95% percent of the time.
I believe in every person’s right to their opinion and or beliefs. And even though there are those that will argue with mine, I still believe in your right to do so.
Now if at this point you feel a “but” coming on. You are correct. And it’s a big one. Think your 400 lb. great Aunt Ada’s arse sort of “but.” But – one person’s rights should never supersede another’s.
Since the elections those who were once our allies and good neighbors have been alienated, bullied and insulted. Our forefathers would be ashamed. We have in a sense become the obnoxious idiot in the neighborhood that everyone avoids making eye contact with as they hurry to their car.
Things are changing on a daily basis in this country and so far none of it has been for the better.
Whether you voted for the current administration or not, I don’t care. But if this is not what you voted for, then use your voice and the phone numbers I published a while back. Make your voice heard. You can also take part in the many commerce blackouts of the businesses supporting those in power.
With the political upheaval this country is going through I believe now more than ever it is important to remember our humanity. Take a page from the Jagers’ book and just be kind.
