American Woman *

Yesterday, July 20th, marked the six-month anniversary of Donald Trump taking the oath of office to become the 47th President of the United States. United seems as far-fetched as six months ago seems recent. Within the last 44 years of my voting life, I have not felt so confused or distraught about my patriotism. Trying to stay strong and disciplined, and not the nightmare Canadian rockers the Guess Who feared enough to write a song about, I am an American Woman.

Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum

A pragmatist at heart and someone who has decided to take responsibility for her words and actions, I refuse to let what I believe to be the most fortunate gift of my life: to be born in America (thank you, Irish, English, Scottish, and Spanish immigrant ancestors), be swindled away.

I learned in 1996 that writing a gratitude list keeps my outlook balanced. My brain’s default setting is scan. It sweeps every room, every article, every meme, every street corner for trouble at first glance. It fixates on problems because its most basic job is to keep me safe. However, it tends to get stuck staring into corners, making me feel trapped if I am not paying attention. Thus, writing about what works for me, rather than staying fixated on what doesn’t, gives me a more realistic picture of any situation. That’s the impetus for writing and posting daily “Three Things I like about being an American.” Some days I frame it as “Three Things I like about America,” a subtle shift in phrasing that suits my mood. It punctures my spirit to obsess, makes me feel overwhelmed and without agency, which is not true. I have Power. As Patti Smith says in the most beautiful of all American Anthems, People have the Power to dream, to rule, to wrestle the world from fools.

Another meaningful way for me to stay sane and grounded is to detach from folks who are caught in one addiction or another (think alcohol, drugs, stacking money into the billions, abusing women or watching Fox News or any other so-called news channel that is not representing the facts by fact-checking). I step back from their behavior because they’ve lost control. They have become unreasonable. I understand how it feels to lose control, so I let crazy do what crazy’s got to do. Bottom line, I step back and detach with love for my own sanity. I can not change the way someone else thinks. But I can take responsibility for my own actions and call out destructive behavior.

What I like about America - about being an American:

It’s working. This small action of posting is as patriotic as it gets in this fraught time. It’s constructive and creative and I have to dig deep which is good for my mental health. I believe in the ideals of democracy. I am under no illusions that democracy is a goal and something that will be continually tested. Even so, it has endured numerous affronts over its 249 years, and my intention is to stand by her and guide her in this time of need. As the Canadian rockers, Triumph drilled into my teenage heart, “Fight the Good Fight Every Moment!” Triumph, the Rush-light of Canadian imports - tariff-free.

* I would have named this post after Tom Petty’s American Girl, but at 62, that seems silly.

Blast off!