This is a feel good diary. It will not inform you of any outrages, ask you to sign any petitions, tell you who to vote for, what food to eat, or how to cook it. It won't tell you what books to read, or ask you to think about them in unusual ways. If you want that, look around. But if you're feeling down, stick around.
If you're feeling good, welcome to the hood.
We need hope. Even in these times. Especially in these times, we need hope.
Luckily, there are young people.
One of these people I know well, he's my son and he's 6. The other I know not at all, I only know his name: Jonathan Reed, he's 20.
More below the fold
My son is 6, he's in first grade, and his best friend is a girl. So, he made her a Valentine. Of course, he had to make a Valentine for every kid in his class. But this girl got a special one.
OK, he's 6. You may need a guide. That's him on the left, labeled "Evan". That's her on the right labeled "Tara". The words are scattered and misspelled.....
Dear Tara
Congratulations! You are my first Valentine ever. Love Evan
They really like each other. The other day, we ran into their family in a restaurant, and Evan and Tara hugged. Then they shared a chair. She wanted to order what he ordered. He wouldn't leave until she left. It's so cute.
But there's more.
Not only is Tara a girl (ooh! cooties!). But she's FOREIGN! OMG!
Not just foreign. Tara is not from Canada or France, no, no, indeed. Tara is from IRAN! OMG! And not only that! I am reasonably sure she is a Muslim ! And we're JEWS!
And you know what? They haven't thrown any rocks at us, and we haven't thrown any rocks at them. Tara's parents think Evan and Tara are cute together, and so do we.
Tara and Evan don't know that MUSLIMS HATE JEWS. And, of course JEWS HATE MUSLIMS. Funny thing is, Tara's parents seem to have forgotten that, too. And so have we.
Of course, there aren't just six year olds. Kids get older. We all know what happens then, right? Cynicism. Apathy. Lethargy. Rudeness. Despair. That's what young people are like, right?
Watch:
That video was made by a 20 year old. It was shown at the AARP. It won second prize in a contest. I don't know what won first.
Happy Valentine's Day, everybody. Love one another. And never give up hope.