Something happened to me yesterday that I’m sharing here because maybe some of you are experiencing the same reactions and wondering, like me, what to do about them. It’s not the first time this happened- happens quite often as a matter of fact- but this time I stopped to try and understand the significance of my emotions.
A little back story.
I raised my kids in a great neighborhood. There were seven of us “stay-at-home” moms with kids around the same age. We all got along. Our kids got along. It was a great time- lots of fun and wonderful memories. But then, life stepped in. I started working and so did most of my friends. Several moved away before I finally did. Life went on.
Facebook reunited us. One by one, not only did we find each other, but our kids, all grown up with kids of their own, also connected with each other. Three of my former neighbors and four of the kids (including two of mine) settled in Florida.
End of back story.
We were all very concerned about Irma and constantly posted and texted back and forth to make sure everyone was being safe. On one of the comment threads on a post by one of the ‘kids’ (I’ll call him Sam), they were talking about the media coverage. What stations were the most reliable, who gives the best information, that sort of flow, when Sam posted, “CNN is OK, as long as they don’t trash Trump.”
And that’s when it happened. My heart fell. I really can’t describe the feeling. Betrayal? Maybe. But all I know about Sam is his daughter’s dance recitals, vacation trips, he has a cute dog, and other typical Facebook posts. He really isn’t relevant to my day to day life. He was a kid I made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for. Cleaned boo-boo’s. Hosted sleep-overs.
But that feeling- I don’t know- of sadness, loss, maybe a little fear- stayed with me. He supports Trump.
There was almost a moment of...”do I unfriend him now?” I have several friends and family members who are gone from my Facebook page. Still listed as “friends” but I no longer have to read their idiotic posts about how great the Donald is and how horrible ‘libtards’ are. That happened during the campaign. Two family members unfriended me outright. I lost one friend.
I try to keep politics off my timeline, basically because debates turn into trash talking confrontations and I want no part of that. Got into one with my nephew on climate change. I’m sure most of you can relate. The stupid...it burns.
Anyway...right now I am trying to deal with those confusing emotions I felt when Sam revealed himself. I know the polls show 34% of Americans think the current occupant in the White House is cool. Why does it feel like I keep running into one of them?
I am just so sad for this country. And I think that every time I discover that someone I know contributed to the demise, I do feel betrayed.
Am I normal? I think that’s all I really want to know.