Last night his nibs and I were coming home from a seminar at church on communication. It was an interesting discussion about risk taking and trust in relationships. We were deep in conversation when we drove by the Smith’s market right up the street from our house and we both just froze. There were at least 20 police cars, ambulances, and firetrucks surrounding the store and the street next to it.
Arn pulled to the curb and stopped and I said, “You don’t suppose there’s been a robbery in there with fatalities, do you?” He looked at me and I knew he was thinking the same thing I was. Brandon often stops at the store on the way home from work to get something for his lunch the next day. “What if Bran’s in there?” I asked.
I pulled my cell phone out to give Bran a call. I’d forgotten I’d turned it off during the seminar. When it came on, there was a panicked message from Bran who was actually sitting in the parking lot wondering if WE were in the store and there was a robbery or something. He’d thought we were stopping on the way home to get cat food.
It dawned on me in that moment how much our lives have changed since the election in 2016, before the political rhetoric became so polarized and dialogue became intentionally uncivilized. My mind would never have gone there. But last night that’s the first place it went — as did his nib’s and Brandon’s. And it occurred to me that my mindset of my life in this country has changed even more significantly than it did after 9/11. Last night I was far more afraid…
Listening to the news when we finally all got home, we learned there had been a house fire across the street from the store and one of the older folks in the house had died. As sad as that is, I was very relieved. And maybe a little ashamed. And I wondered where THAT feeling came from…
`
`
At any rate, as I pondered on this last night I wondered if anyone one else has had a similar experience. I’m just curious. Has the last year plus changed the way you perceive your life now and in the future in our country? Or is it just quirky me???
`
`
Picture Source:
Smith’s — http://GoogleMaps.com
Mindset — Edgy Stl
House & Firetruck — http://ksl.com
Impromptu Promptlings 
I try to work very hard on not letting all the fear stuff take over – it’s a n energy I don’t want, and I don’t want to generate more of it by being immersed in it. But I do find myself being far more cautious when out and about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The way fear has invaded our country continues to show itself in so many ways. Was just reading an article about how kids in schools these days believe at some point they’ll be shot and killed in a school shooting. Why? Because we’ve had to resort to drills about what to do when there’s an active shooter in the building.
We saw the same thing happen with our kids when they were elementary school and the schools started talking about “stranger danger.” The truth was, most young children that are hurt or abused are done so by a family member or family friend. But in the end “stranger danger” scared the crap out of them and made them very fearful. And as we saw the other day with the school shooting, being prepared through drills had little to no effect on the situation. Gotta be better solutions somewhere…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right. I remember the stranger danger era well. During our drama festival here when Marc was little, we booked onto a tram play. As the tram wound its way it would stop and pick up or disembark characters. One of them was a bag lady who offered lollies to all the kids on the tram. Marc absolutely refused to take one despite our best reassurances it was OK. It was a fun way to see a play, BTW 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve done that on a train, too. It was a mystery dinner theater.
LikeLike
I have changed a lot in the past year and a half. Sometimes I experience fear but mostly I have a lot anger that feels explosive. Seeing episodes of bullying and unethical behavior to set me off. Because I have fibromyalgia, it is very important for me to manage stress so I don’t want to have the feelings of anger triggered but, darn, there are just too many people who aren’t playing nice. Good, thought-provoking post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Pat! Thanks for stopping by! And particularly for sharing that. I have Myasthenia Gravis and gettin’ all worked up is not good for me either. But as you said, there seems to be so much to get fired up about in the middle of all this “uncivility’ (is that even a word?) in our current state of the union. Totally get where you’re coming from.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry you had this frightening experience, Cheryl.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John. It was a little unnerving…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, for each of you. Hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Back at cha’, pardner. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m more nervous than I used to be, when I walk along dark roads at night, but I refuse to give in to the unease.
Since I stopped getting email notifications, some time back, I’ve been going to my site manager to see what you’re up to, and it always tells me that you haven’t posted anything lately. WP is going mad. I think the notification problem has been sorted out now…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do know what you mean about being out in the dark. When I think of all the years we just sat out in the front yard on summer nights and never felt any kind of unease it’s a wonder to me. I think hearing about things like drive-by shootings in other places just gets in my head and won’t leave me alone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are so many angry, heartless people in the world…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we’re all more wary these days, wherever we live, but it’s important to keep some perspective. Most of us will never be involved in anything horrific, but if it happens, it happens, and we will cope.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know you’re right about the perspective thing, Julia. I get far too emotional about stuff and my imagination just runs away with me. (And here I’m accusing myself all the time of not being creative!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
My life and outlook certainly has changed. I find myself doubting the sanity of people. I find myself looking at a humanity that is more full of hatred and anger. It’s not nice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. And it makes me wonder how far into “it’s all about me” we can get before we can’t come back from that place anymore with isolationism rearing its head in this country again.
LikeLike
It’s sad ‘that’ was where you mind automatically took you. Mine goes there all the time – when there’s been and accident on the road I know my eldest daughter drives along, if there’s been a fire near where my other two daughters live, if, if, if. I’ve always done that, and always been received I worried for nothing. And I accept this as my job – I am the MUM after all 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear ya, Clare. I’m a worrier, too. The neurologist says that kind of stress is what got me into this mess most likely — SO STOP WORRYING!!! I’ll try if you will. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Deal
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your comment was locked in jail! You should have used your one call to call me!!! LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny you should feel that way. I am planning to have a garage sale this year and for the first time I am wondering if it is safe to do so. Not sure where the feeling is coming from.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow… That’s a really interesting comment, Denise. What does it bring to mind when you think about it?
LikeLike
I think we all changed a somewhat after 9/11. But I also think that unless something like that or like what happened here in Vegas on 1 Oct, we really can’t know how devastating it is. Unless it hits home or close to home.
Luv Ya!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I think that’s exactly right. This was a little too close for comfort. (Where you been, girlfriend? Any luck on the job-hunting scene?) ❤
LikeLike