I typically only write positive words. That was my promise to myself and to my readers when I began this blog in February 2017 (eight months ago).

Today … I can’t.

I. Just. Can’t.

Yet I also just. can’t. not. write. So if you’re looking for the typical humorous, Pollyanna Sharon, you might want to move on along.

There is pain in this world. I am in pain.

This past weekend I experienced the most frightening thing I’ve ever experienced … the possible loss of my child. I was afraid. Today I am deep in worry over my other child headed to Las Vegas after the largest recent  massacre in the history of our nation … about to embark on a hike at Angels Landing in Utah. And I am afraid.

Years ago my mother-in-law said something to me that at the time I thought was ridiculous. She said, “You never stop worrying about your children no matter how old they get.” I thought to myself … how silly. Children grow up, become adults, get their own lives and families, and boom … my job and responsibilities as a parent is over. Wow. Was I ever wrong.

Yes. You absolutely do worry about your children as long as you live. You worry for their happiness in their relationships, in their rearing of their children, in their travels, in their jobs. You especially worry when they lose their jobs and watch their family struggle to make ends meet. You even sometimes cry yourself to sleep, at nearly sixty years of age, asking God what can you do to make their way easier and better without enabling or rescuing them.

And then, if that isn’t worry enough, you turn on the national news and see carnage from a massacre/carnage of innocent humans …  attending a festival in their off time to enjoy a break from all the “carnage of hatred” in this world …  a moment of being a Pollyanna, so to speak, to drown out the world of hate and relax and rest and a break from the day to day problems one must face to live in this crazy mixed up world.

And if that’s not enough, you power up Facebook and see hatred and venom spewed human against human, friend against friend, people for or against our government leaders. You turn on the TV and see the media spewing. Or you see leaders of our country not getting along.

Hatred. Hurt. Pain. It’s at every turn.

Let me tell you what to do dear friends. Turn off the television. Stop reading Facebook.

Get on your knees and pray. That … that is the only thing that will save me and you from the pain, negativity, fear and worry … worry of loved ones raising children, poor finances, worry over losing jobs, worry over impending surgery or illness, the heartache over losing your child to suicide or mental illness, children … people climbing dangerous mountains, literally and figuratively speaking.

Look at and see what’s behind taking a knee. Is it hurt and pain? You want to focus on those STANDING … standing honoring the flag out of respect? Look behind that. Why are they standing instead of kneeling?

Black lives matter? Blue lives matter? All lives matter? Regardless, what is behind that? Don’t people matter to you? Don’t they matter enough to be compassionate and stand for healing and understanding?

I realize freedom of speech is our first amendment right in this country so I am exercising mine. If you are spewing hatred on Facebook or on the national news or wherever, in one direction or another, you are part of the problem. I am sick of the “carnage” that’s the result of hatred. Turn bitterness and hatred and anger into good. Become a teacher, or a nurse, doctor, humanitarian aid, social worker, preacher, counselor. Or volunteer somewhere that does good. Work in a soup kitchen and minister to the homeless. Help feed people in your communities who are starving. Let goodness, mercy, compassion and grace be your guide.

I will simply end with the song, Imagine, by John Lennon, which speaks to my heart.

Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try. No Hell below us, above us only sky. Imagine there’s no countries, it isn’t hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too. Imagine all the people living life in peace.

You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join me and the world will live as one.

Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man. Imagine all the people sharing all the world.

You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join me ….

(Praying with all my heart and soul) and/that the world will one day live as one.

Should there be any wonder, this post was meant for healing … not hate. Blessings to all.