Laying in bed, here in Oregon with my 20mo toddler right now, and musing on how the world changed after his birth. Born right as the heat turned up on all this madness... Lockdowns began and we didn't leave our farm. for 7 straight months. Not getting in a car once. It was surreal and kind of magical honestly. But at that time I was swep…
Laying in bed, here in Oregon with my 20mo toddler right now, and musing on how the world changed after his birth. Born right as the heat turned up on all this madness... Lockdowns began and we didn't leave our farm. for 7 straight months. Not getting in a car once. It was surreal and kind of magical honestly. But at that time I was swept up in the fear and narrative of the liberal media. I thought of myself as a liberal at that time...I voted for Biden and looked down on "Trumpers" ... Over the past 2 years I could see the flickering possibility of what this pandemic would bring... The ripe terrain it would create for sweeping vaccine mandates. That had been a nightmare of mine that I knew could come to pass for a long time. I am not a proponent of vaccination and never will be. I don't need to explain why here which is relieving...but what really has hurt me is to then see my community of like minded, progressive and liberal hearted people all lean so hard into it. It has been very disturbing to witness the scarlet letter appear now upon my sleeve. Mostly keeping my mouth shut when the tirades begin on the foolish selfishness of the unvaccinated. It is the same vitriol we shared before over the "Trumpers" ... What a fascinating and heartbreaking experience it has been. Heartbreaking mostly in recognition of my own participation in the hate filled divisive narrative towards left and right. Now I am thankful for the Trumpers. Thankful for their courage and grit to buck the system. I have lost most of my friends, some of my family and all of my respect for a system I had some vestiges of hope in. My family is left drifting the margins of society, not belonging anywhere exactly. We have a lifestyle that works well with it for now but the future is so murky and it is hard to envision something to look forward to. Finding community online has been a helpful lifeline. And focusing on our animals, gardens and forest. I am cherishing the community we have left and finding hope with new allies in people I once felt like I could never understand.
What a beautiful image, you and your little one cuddled up in bed. I would give my eye to have just a few minutes with my daughters, so little and soft, warm in our bed together. Thank you for that.
Your comment, too, so beautiful and generous in its honesty. We can all find times when we played into some divisive narrative or another. Maybe that's the gift in here, too, the humility it brings. We have lost friends, many as open minded as one could imagine, and fostered new relationships. Maybe these new relationships will prove to be more open and honest and true than any that came before? I think so. I believe so. I wish we could hug. That's the problem with screens - no hugs. Sending it anyways.
Thank you Elizabeth. I am a "Trumper" but I also agree with your non vax stance. Its funny to me that you and I are so alike in our beliefs yet one man came between us. I am in group of Women for Trump and this group runs the spectrum of liberal and conservatives. Its a bunch of women who want the freedom to choose how they live their lives. I think you would fit into it perfectly. I hope there are more of "you" out there who will no longer listen to the "hysteria of the media" and get back to our true values. You are an inspiration!
He certainly did. I still find him in particular hard to stomach...but I feel that way about all the talking heads now. Most days I am wistfully wishing for a kind of global awakening where everyone only cared about healthy animals eating grass, thriving eco systems filled with life to tend and harvest...kids having bare feet on the ground learning how to track the prints of hares. That kind of back to the beating heart of nature life. But I know that's foolish to think all hands could be that evenly delt. But a gal can dream. I appreciate you and your courage to stand for your freedom. Please give me info on your group...I am curious to know more.
It is bittersweet your post resonates so strongly with me. I feel like I could have written much of it. This last year has been incredibly trying, I am in the Bay area of Northern CA (raised in OR) and life has shifted so drastically from what it once was. I am mourning what is lost and trying to look forward to what is to come. I feel the losses of so many things all at once - the community I once felt I had, the family I once believe would be there for us "no matter what," the high horse I would ride in belief that I knew right from wrong (in example "Trumpers were wrong"), the ability I had to enjoy a walk outside unmasked, without feeling judged. I am hopeful every instance I read of others who are fighting loudly or quietly, those that are resisting, those that are choosing to leave without fear. I know there will be a new way that will be wonderful and scary and mystifying but it hasn't revealed itself yet.
it feels less lonely and sad knowing there are others out there going through it too... navigating and redirecting their compasses ...learning the new landscape of life here on this wild little plant.
I live in Oregon as well, Elizabeth. Fortunately I have a small number of friends and others, like my chiropractor and even my MD!, who see things clearly and have avoided the vax. This is what we each need--connection--since we can't see ourselves reflected in the corporate media who simply want to politicize everything in our lives. Like you I have learned to be more open to others whose ideologies I disagreed with. Our culture chooses teams and tribes allowing for absolutely no nuance. We are taught to "throw the baby out with the bathwater" when we disagree with someone and assume they are stupid and ignorant. Perhaps at the end of all this, we will have learned how to have conversations again and exchange ideas even if at the end of it we just agree to disagree.
I appreciated your comment. Having conversation instead of final court rule and execution of others in our thoughts. I for instance did see many positive things in Trump's presidency. And have friends who disagree with me. Some cut me off because of it. It is hard when I share about my Love of nature and non-steroid and non-hormone livestock then find out I am Christian and conservative. They disappear. So I appreciate what you said. Thank you.
I don’t know you but I have so much love in my heart for you.
My son was also born right before the lockdown situation, also in oregon. I also used to consider myself a “liberal” but watched over the trump presidency as it went down in flames. The hypocrisy drove me away and also woke me up to the ridiculous notion that there even are really different factions at all.
I’ve lost friends and gained a bit of battle weariness over the last few years. Where in Oregon are you? Need a giant group of non covid crazy nature loving community oriented kin?
Thanks for the solidarity. It helps to know of the others out there that have gone through similar transformations. I am in Wolf Creek...up in the outlaw hills of the Umpqua
Elizabeth, I’m also in Oregon! I’ve lived here my whole life, and it breaks my heart to see what is happening to our state. We too, thankfully, have a bit of space to breath and enjoy the outdoors where we live. I can’t imagine living in this state and having to be cooped up any other way. Thank you so much for your honesty. It was humbling and encouraging.
Same here. I recently apologized and thankfully reconnected with my best childhood friend. We fell out bc of Trump. Mostly me allowing the fall out to happen. Now we see almost eye to eye. It makes me sick thinking of the years of friendship we lost bc I was so stubborn. But I’m thankful for her graciousness towards me and the Divine plan bringing us back together.
Hello from a fellow Oregonian living in Vermont. Like many people replying to your post, I fit in with that same narrative - anti Trump and liberal. These past two years have woken me up and I wouldn’t go back for the world! It’s truly why we moved to Vermont - to get affordable rural property so we can return to older ways that served our grandparents. And we’ve got quite a community here, don’t we?
Laying in bed, here in Oregon with my 20mo toddler right now, and musing on how the world changed after his birth. Born right as the heat turned up on all this madness... Lockdowns began and we didn't leave our farm. for 7 straight months. Not getting in a car once. It was surreal and kind of magical honestly. But at that time I was swept up in the fear and narrative of the liberal media. I thought of myself as a liberal at that time...I voted for Biden and looked down on "Trumpers" ... Over the past 2 years I could see the flickering possibility of what this pandemic would bring... The ripe terrain it would create for sweeping vaccine mandates. That had been a nightmare of mine that I knew could come to pass for a long time. I am not a proponent of vaccination and never will be. I don't need to explain why here which is relieving...but what really has hurt me is to then see my community of like minded, progressive and liberal hearted people all lean so hard into it. It has been very disturbing to witness the scarlet letter appear now upon my sleeve. Mostly keeping my mouth shut when the tirades begin on the foolish selfishness of the unvaccinated. It is the same vitriol we shared before over the "Trumpers" ... What a fascinating and heartbreaking experience it has been. Heartbreaking mostly in recognition of my own participation in the hate filled divisive narrative towards left and right. Now I am thankful for the Trumpers. Thankful for their courage and grit to buck the system. I have lost most of my friends, some of my family and all of my respect for a system I had some vestiges of hope in. My family is left drifting the margins of society, not belonging anywhere exactly. We have a lifestyle that works well with it for now but the future is so murky and it is hard to envision something to look forward to. Finding community online has been a helpful lifeline. And focusing on our animals, gardens and forest. I am cherishing the community we have left and finding hope with new allies in people I once felt like I could never understand.
What a beautiful image, you and your little one cuddled up in bed. I would give my eye to have just a few minutes with my daughters, so little and soft, warm in our bed together. Thank you for that.
Your comment, too, so beautiful and generous in its honesty. We can all find times when we played into some divisive narrative or another. Maybe that's the gift in here, too, the humility it brings. We have lost friends, many as open minded as one could imagine, and fostered new relationships. Maybe these new relationships will prove to be more open and honest and true than any that came before? I think so. I believe so. I wish we could hug. That's the problem with screens - no hugs. Sending it anyways.
Thank you Elizabeth. I am a "Trumper" but I also agree with your non vax stance. Its funny to me that you and I are so alike in our beliefs yet one man came between us. I am in group of Women for Trump and this group runs the spectrum of liberal and conservatives. Its a bunch of women who want the freedom to choose how they live their lives. I think you would fit into it perfectly. I hope there are more of "you" out there who will no longer listen to the "hysteria of the media" and get back to our true values. You are an inspiration!
He certainly did. I still find him in particular hard to stomach...but I feel that way about all the talking heads now. Most days I am wistfully wishing for a kind of global awakening where everyone only cared about healthy animals eating grass, thriving eco systems filled with life to tend and harvest...kids having bare feet on the ground learning how to track the prints of hares. That kind of back to the beating heart of nature life. But I know that's foolish to think all hands could be that evenly delt. But a gal can dream. I appreciate you and your courage to stand for your freedom. Please give me info on your group...I am curious to know more.
It is bittersweet your post resonates so strongly with me. I feel like I could have written much of it. This last year has been incredibly trying, I am in the Bay area of Northern CA (raised in OR) and life has shifted so drastically from what it once was. I am mourning what is lost and trying to look forward to what is to come. I feel the losses of so many things all at once - the community I once felt I had, the family I once believe would be there for us "no matter what," the high horse I would ride in belief that I knew right from wrong (in example "Trumpers were wrong"), the ability I had to enjoy a walk outside unmasked, without feeling judged. I am hopeful every instance I read of others who are fighting loudly or quietly, those that are resisting, those that are choosing to leave without fear. I know there will be a new way that will be wonderful and scary and mystifying but it hasn't revealed itself yet.
it feels less lonely and sad knowing there are others out there going through it too... navigating and redirecting their compasses ...learning the new landscape of life here on this wild little plant.
I live in Oregon as well, Elizabeth. Fortunately I have a small number of friends and others, like my chiropractor and even my MD!, who see things clearly and have avoided the vax. This is what we each need--connection--since we can't see ourselves reflected in the corporate media who simply want to politicize everything in our lives. Like you I have learned to be more open to others whose ideologies I disagreed with. Our culture chooses teams and tribes allowing for absolutely no nuance. We are taught to "throw the baby out with the bathwater" when we disagree with someone and assume they are stupid and ignorant. Perhaps at the end of all this, we will have learned how to have conversations again and exchange ideas even if at the end of it we just agree to disagree.
I really think that's where we can go from here. The real rebellion is coming together, not in dividing.
I appreciated your comment. Having conversation instead of final court rule and execution of others in our thoughts. I for instance did see many positive things in Trump's presidency. And have friends who disagree with me. Some cut me off because of it. It is hard when I share about my Love of nature and non-steroid and non-hormone livestock then find out I am Christian and conservative. They disappear. So I appreciate what you said. Thank you.
I don’t know you but I have so much love in my heart for you.
My son was also born right before the lockdown situation, also in oregon. I also used to consider myself a “liberal” but watched over the trump presidency as it went down in flames. The hypocrisy drove me away and also woke me up to the ridiculous notion that there even are really different factions at all.
I’ve lost friends and gained a bit of battle weariness over the last few years. Where in Oregon are you? Need a giant group of non covid crazy nature loving community oriented kin?
Thanks for the solidarity. It helps to know of the others out there that have gone through similar transformations. I am in Wolf Creek...up in the outlaw hills of the Umpqua
Oh just down i5 from me. My sons name is Wolf :)
If you ever want some company I’m not terribly far.
Elizabeth, I’m also in Oregon! I’ve lived here my whole life, and it breaks my heart to see what is happening to our state. We too, thankfully, have a bit of space to breath and enjoy the outdoors where we live. I can’t imagine living in this state and having to be cooped up any other way. Thank you so much for your honesty. It was humbling and encouraging.
Same here. I recently apologized and thankfully reconnected with my best childhood friend. We fell out bc of Trump. Mostly me allowing the fall out to happen. Now we see almost eye to eye. It makes me sick thinking of the years of friendship we lost bc I was so stubborn. But I’m thankful for her graciousness towards me and the Divine plan bringing us back together.
Hello from a fellow Oregonian living in Vermont. Like many people replying to your post, I fit in with that same narrative - anti Trump and liberal. These past two years have woken me up and I wouldn’t go back for the world! It’s truly why we moved to Vermont - to get affordable rural property so we can return to older ways that served our grandparents. And we’ve got quite a community here, don’t we?
Was there “one thing” that woke you up? Or a collection of things? Just curious.❤️