12 Comments
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Pepper Miller's avatar

Wow, Manuel! What a powerful piece of prose you have writte. Please keep up the good work, my friend.

Manuel A. Garcia's avatar

Thanks for your kind comment, Pepper.

Erika  Davis's avatar

Thank you for verbalizing this. Dignity is indeed something that should always be respected, though clearly not everyone agrees.

I also thank you for your choice of artwork—Bougeureau is one of my very favorite painters. I have seen some of his work in person, and it is mesmerizing.

Manuel A. Garcia's avatar

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Erika, I agree.

Re the artwork, I looked at a lot of images and the older girl's eyes conveyed my sentiments the best. We have a print of one of Bouguereau's works as well that we bought at the Houston MOA years ago. He captures the human condition exceptionally well.

Jenny Benjamin's avatar

You captured the conundrum of this time so well. Thank you.

Manuel A. Garcia's avatar

Thank you, Jenny, for reading it and quoting from it.

Karen S. Bonnell's avatar

Giving that feeling of revulsion, the one that has me push the remote power button with extra umph when a confirmation hearing begins, the one that sits in the center of my chest staving off nausea, … giving that feeling a lap of understanding, a place to be held in community … helps some. It’s hard to even “pray” as this week unfolds. A time for everything under heaven … (faith & doubt wrestling like no others!)

Manuel A. Garcia's avatar

Thanks for commenting, Karen. I think that I understand your feelings. They are widely shared by half the nation — at least...

Frederick Fullerton's avatar

Human dignity, common good, and decency, among other things to strive toward, seem to be disappearing.

Manuel A. Garcia's avatar

Thanks for your comment, Frederick. We must not allow their disappearance— we are here to uphold them, in my view.

W. Scott Cameron's avatar

Solid, thought provoking piece. I am happy you have found joy. My sense of joy comes from the fact the flags will (should) flying at half mast on Inauguration Day thus, proving God has a sense of humor.

Manuel A. Garcia's avatar

Thanks for your support, Scott. Trying times are a source of inspiration. I count on your humorous messages to evoke my grin. 😁