Yesterday I was reminded of the poem The Road Not Taken which taps right into the sadness that made it hard for me to get started on this blog today. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1662758716/the-road-not-taken-by-robert-frost?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_-art_and_collectibles&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjwhsrUBhDxARIsAN3AQSfHgDpFFXKH9AReZT7hB84KRjMOrnIimkRlu3MgBEDMZrLJS8J6LQYaAhLyEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_22555721185_179700248099_751770838716_pla-314954651933_c__1662758716_12768591&utm_custom2=22555721185&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22555721185&gbraid=0AAAAADtcfRI2pkpftz7Qb8jMHEmgTgQ3U&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhsrUBhDxARIsAN3AQSfHgDpFFXKH9AReZT7hB84KRjMOrnIimkRlu3MgBEDMZrLJS8J6LQYaAhLyEALw_wcB
I’m grief stricken for the thousands in the world, including our own United States, who are dead or have lost everything through fire and flood. I remember back when I was a young teenager and we all pulled together in every way possible to win the battle against the cruelty of WWII. I remember we thought of our country as the giver of aid and comfort. I remember reading of the tulips in the Netherlands arranged to read “Thanks, Yanks” It seems like we had chosen the right road.
And how I wish now that we were on the road of saving our own home – the earth. I imagine how it would be if we were all pulling together to reduce the harm on our planet and create new safe, clean, non-toxic practices and businesses. I remember the war song longingly anticipating “There’ll be bluebirds over the White Cliffs Of Dover” … and “Jimmie will go to bed in his own little room again.”
But we’ve taken the other road. And my heart aches.
monagustafsonaffinito 
Years ago, I remember that you told me, “When things swing too far one way in history, the pendulum always swings back to correct itself. Ying and yang.” -Your observation has given me comfort during these hard days, and one of my consoling thoughts through everything we are going through as a nation, is that the swing back is going to be Amazing!! The destruction can only go on for so long before things begin to shift.
And, as two older women told me when I was visiting England recently, “Our nation has been around much longer than yours, Dearie, and we’ve survived our fair share of terrible leaders. It’s only a matter of time before things change, and we are all rooting for the Americans to pull through.”
And I am comforted by the remarks of those two older women in England. I feel less lonely. Thanks
I love the way you ended this reflection. MaryOn Aug 29, 2026,
Thanks. I always feel supported by you. Good feeling.