Fiction and life . . . from the desk of Gwen M. Plano
  • Home
  • Blog Reflections
  • REDEMPTION THRILLER
  • THE CONTRACT Series
  • My Memoir
  • Poetry
  • About

What is our hope, our dream for America?

1/19/2017

6 Comments

 
by Gwendolyn M Plano
Picture
I’ve marched in Washington several times –  as a student to voice my concern about the war in Vietnam, as a young mother with children in tow to ask for civil rights – for South Africa and for these United States.  Multiple times, I have experienced the power of collective voice – even if it was silenced by side-street ugliness. Circumstance and heartfelt beliefs have marked my political journey.

I mention this because women are gathering, to ask our President to embrace the hope of the collective.  What is this hope? What was my hope when I walked those well-trodden streets?

This past election has left our country divided. Words have been hurled across a battlefield of broken dreams, leaving a wake of unparalleled destruction. Families, friends, neighbors – each have taken their sides. And what remains? Words…armed words…words that demand that you think like me.

What is our hope? What is our dream?

President Abraham Lincoln stated, “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”

Again, I ask what is our hope? What is our dream?

One of my cousins is working in Haiti right now. She, her family and church members are trying to rebuild that impoverished and largely forgotten country.  The men are building shelters and installing plumbing where tents and mud once housed the starving. The women are providing health care and creating schools for children who have neither. Together they forge a future, less desperate.

Shoulder to shoulder with others, my cousin models something of the spirit of our country. We give generously; we love passionately – truth and justice.

May the women who march on January 21st stretch love into our differences to build bridges across our divides to mend hurting hearts. May they garner the strength and the resolve to carve pathways of understanding - for respectful exchange. May they find words that heal, words that accept differences.
​
My hope – is for our country united, through and in our race, creed, sexual orientation, gender, education, beliefs, and so much more. My dream – is of a country shaped by manifest altruism. Ultimately, you and I are the hope and the dream.

Picture
6 Comments
john howell link
1/19/2017 13:27:44

I share your hope but it will take an effort by everyone. Good post Gwen.

Reply
Gwen Plano link
1/19/2017 13:38:37

You are so right, John. Everyone.... Thank you for visiting...

Reply
Marlena link
1/19/2017 14:14:15

Beautiful words, Gwen! Inspiring!! Thanks for sharing with us.

Reply
Gwen Plano link
1/20/2017 03:18:57

Thank you for visiting, Marlena. Blessings.....

Reply
John Fioravanti link
1/20/2017 07:04:20

Beautifully written, Gwen, a prayer for us all.

Reply
Jan Sikes link
1/20/2017 10:34:25

Inspiring post, Gwen!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    For blog updates, please subscribe below. 
    * indicates required

    RSS Feed


    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    June 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


Plano Enterprises, LLC
Photos used under Creative Commons from Kevin M. Gill, Joel Bedford, qthomasbower, crosescribe, Juho Holmi, diana_robinson, W Presley & B Kunce Photography......WI. USA, U.S. Geological Survey, Ian Sane, florianric, NikoMC, van Van Es, Yen Chao 趙彥, MissMessie, Yuriy Kuzin, Ben Zvan, Bichuas (E. Carton), Nina Matthews Photography, hehaden, alexdecarvalho, Tim RT, Kurdistan Photo كوردستان, Candida.Performa, peddhapati (Thanks for 1M Views!!!), Jhong Dizon | Photography, Waheed Akhtar Photography, lawmurray, USFWS Pacific, JalilArfaoui, SurFeRGiRL30, Lauren Finkel Photography, maf04, SantaRosa OLD SKOOL, Dakiny, vauvau, Zanastardust, Monica's Dad, timpeartrice, marumeganechan, Rafael Acorsi, seyed mostafa zamani, Jorge Franganillo, Irene Grassi (sun sand & sea), The National Guard, D.Fletcher, nada abdalla, Ted LaBar, alison.mckellar, Infomastern, Elvert Barnes, m01229, theglobalpanorama