Hopes and Dreams...
These past several days have been trying for those of us who love our country and understand America's special and unique role in the world.

It has also been challenging for those of us who love our children and fully invest all that we have in them.
For what is a country if not a united nation to raise families, pursue and defend our ideals, and manifest our collective industry, moral clarity, and political purpose?

A man can dream, right?

I have a dream that one day, we can have a united country where we honor and celebrate our shared heritage, our territorial integrity, while also caring about those with whom we pursue happiness and join with as part of the epic battle between good and evil.

Speaking of hope; I have other dreams.

I have a dream that one day, our kids will listen to each other more and hear each other less.

I have a dream that one day, our kids will learn from history instead of condemning the past.

I have a dream that one day, our kids will pursue their destiny more and lament their future less.

I have a dream that one day, our kids will learn from and respect the wise instead of following and worshiping the clever.

I have a dream that one day, our kids will read and converse more and Instagram and Snapchat less.

And I think you can see that.

I have a dream that one day, our kids will stare and react less and observe and consider more.

I have a dream that one day, our kids will ponder and reflect more and react and argue less.

I have a dream that one day, our kids will laugh and cheer more and complain and cry less.

Does anybody remember laughter?

I have a dream that one day, our kids will learn and create more and deny and dread less.

I have a dream that one day, our kids will demand and expect less and hope and pray more.

I have a dream that one day, our kids will hallucinate less and imagine more.

I have a dream that one day, our kids will compose and produce more and sample and borrow less.

I have a dream that one day, our kids will be offended less and assert themselves more.

But I’ve got some good news, listen.

When we allow faith and hope, wisdom and dignity, maturity and clarity, chastity and piety, and responsibility and integrity to grow, when we let these virtues shine from every town, and every state, to every nation, and to every port, when that day comes we will be able to speed up that day when our kids will want to join hands and sing in the words of the old Celtic spiritual:

“ And as we wind on down the road, Our shadows taller than our soul, There walks a lady we all know, Who shines white light and wants to show, How everything still turns to gold, And if you listen very hard, The tune will come to you at last, When all is one and one is all , to be a rock and not to roll …”

I can see that day coming. I can feel that time arriving. I can sense that moment approaching. Until then, let it shine all around.
Hat tip to the Rev. Martin Luther King, and my favorite restless wanderer Robert Plant, without whom this and most of my expressions wouldn't be possible.