Sue Bower
Jefferson City
Dear Editor:
Have we passed the tests? Fires, hurricanes, storms, anarchy, COVID-19, political turmoil did we pass?
What have we learned about ourselves, for I think that is the ultimate test. Staying home is easier. You don't have to dress up, contribute to church, spend as much money or time shopping, and have a great excuse not to help, donate, clean, babysit, visit the sick, take others to appointments, entertain, do things you don't really want to do, etc. It makes one think, "Do I want to rejoin the world?"
Are disasters lessons? Don't build here again. It's too expensive to live here so now I can leave. I can get free government money legally or illegally, so I don't have to work if they are going to pay me. I can claim this accidental death is COVID-related and get free help. We can play the "blame" game or we can make a national name for ourselves for the next election. Or, we can turn off the TV, help our neighbors, contribute to charities, think of others instead of ourselves, learn from our mistakes, write and call others to ensure their wellbeing, prove that good can still win out.
I hope we have learned that family is more important than politics, that we don't "need" as much as we thought, that giving is better than receiving, that it is better to give to scammers than not to give to someone truly in need, that there is work out there for anyone who "really" wants a job, that all of us need a hand up sometime, and that we have learned who our friends really are and really aren't.
I hope we have learned about ourselves. What kind of person am I, really? Do I really believe in God or do I warm a seat in the pew? Am I honest when it is important to be honest? Do I love/respect my children, parents or spouse? Do I care about obeying the laws? Does every sentence I utter start with I? Do I step up to the plate? Do I put myself first? Am I greedy? Do I think givers and donators are chumps? Do I have and share the joy in my life or resent others' having joy? Am I worthy of knowing?