MAGA | Nine Cent Girl

This week Elie Wiesel’s words are echoing around my brain. As a survivor of the Holocaust death camps himself, he tried to piece together the how and the why of such an horrific event. Through his lifetime of study Wiesel came to realize, “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” As I wander about in my SoCal terrain I do my best not to listen to the outrageous lies set forth from the new broligarchs on the DC block. This is an internal struggle for me as I recall Wiesel: “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.” I wish he was still alive so I could ask him how, just how can one navigate such a calculated and vicious attack on human decency going seemingly unchallenged? The list of falsehoods and fabrications broadcasted from the current White House over and over is a long one and I feel powerless to counter any of it.

Beyond staying positive, staying in this moment, staying grateful for all the gifts I receive daily, I am unclear how to combat “the flood the zone with shit” strategy of MAGA. I am struggling. All I know is it’s not indifference that I am feeling, even if all I post this week are photos of this gorgeous landscape in Southern California.

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Oh my, this week… it was absolutely a lot.

Dutifully, even joyously, we built our Dia de los Muertos altar to honor our dead, hoping to coax them back for a night or two. In the past we created elaborate shrines, but this year, with many of our photos and mementos still in boxes, we created a simple display, using all the affection we feel when recalling our time with each of them. The quirky grin of her grandfather, the grace of a favorite Aunt, the solid presence of my father, a host of fabulous friends gone too soon, all the mothers’ lovely adoration. We left them fruit and chocolates and water to satisfy their long journey, along with their cherished possessions we are lucky enough to have. Remembering our remarkable lineage fuels us forward, even into the darker days lurking just ahead.