Speaking up for what you believe in
Something is wrong! I can tell by the looks on my dear friends’ faces: no smiles, twinkling eyes or self-satisfied chuckles.
We had gathered for our monthly cocktails out at a local restaurant where the happy hour fare is always good. Mostly we talk about the darling antics of our great-grandchildren. (We’re all in our 80s and 90s.) Though we’re disdainful of “organ recitals,” we do indulge in a review of our latest aches and pains.
Today is different. We all grew up in the best of times. We’re well-educated thanks to the junior college system, which eased our way into university. Government and community scholarships helped smart, hardworking students.
Social Security was available after we started working, and medical coverage as well. If one was careful, and with a bit of luck, it was possible to pay off the mortgage before age 65. For those a bit more prosperous, foreign travel was possible. Life has been good to us, and we’re grateful. Today, though, I’m reminded of Bob Dylan’s 1964 anthem “The Times They Are A-Changin’.”
Now I see in our faces worry, fear, anger and even disbelief.
Margaret begins our conversation, “I’m afraid my Social Security is going to be reduced or even canceled.”
Betty admitted, “I have a little savings, but not enough to pay my medical bills if my health insurance is canceled.”
Emma, who is in a wheelchair, said, “My caregiver is scared of ICE. I’m thinking that I might need to offer her my spare bedroom as a place to stay for a while.”
Josie said the most shocking thing yet: “For the first time in my life, I’m afraid of my government.”
There was a stunned silence. Then, almost in unison, came the cry, “We have to do something!”
“Well, my government education taught me how to write. I’m going to write letters to the president, Congress, my representatives, the governor and even the newspaper,” Myra declared.
Betty held up her hand, saying, “Go to a public meeting, any that you can get to. Hold up your sign telling everyone what you think!”
We agreed to tell everyone we know what we’re thinking and doing: our families, our neighbors, our churches and even people at the laundromat and coffee shop.
After that first meeting, so many people have said they want to come to our next happy hour that we have to gather in the community room of Ruth’s senior living community.
Our numbers are growing. We’re no longer sipping afternoon cocktails. We’re holding up signs and putting our names on the dotted line. We’re not telling people what to think; we’re telling people what we think. We’re communicating and making our voices heard.
We have created our legacy!
Valerie Jelenfy Stilson is a Novato resident. IJ readers are invited to share their stories of love, dating, parenting, marriage, friendship and other experiences for our How It Is column, which runs Tuesdays in the Lifestyles section. All stories must not have been published in part or in its entirety previously. Send your stories of no more than 600 words to lifestyles@marinij.com. Please write How It Is in the subject line. The IJ reserves the right to edit them for publication. Please include your full name, address and a daytime phone number.