Many years from now,

when my kids' kids are flipping through their history books,

ain't no doubt there's going be a chapter or two covering the debacle that was 2020 in America and a preceding chapter covering (at least) the early part of the year 2021.

There will be subsections on

police brutality against African Americans,

general corruption amongst 'community helpers,'

unrelenting political unrest,

a global health pandemic and the ensuing physical and emotional turmoil it caused for so many,

the demise of work/life balance,

the rise of stress for citizens of every class,

the obvious and uncomfortable social divide that was brought on by all of that,

and (perhaps?) on how social media helped propagate it all.

It won't be a chapter I'm proud of.

It won't be a time in our nation's history that I'll enjoy explaining or quizzing them on vocab words like

racism,

corruption,

narcissism,

treason,

and impeachment.

It won't please me, in the least, to discuss how hatred amongst Americans,

from it's leading politicians to the everyday layperson,

came to be such a

daily,

natural,

expected,

and (to some), acceptable thing.

And what they likely WON'T read about is the country's good people and the good acts of so many Americans that were done during such a tumultuous time.

History is found in books, no doubt. And, while this isn't an ask to sugarcoat the honest yet bad parts, it is a plea to history book-makers and anyone who is living through this odd time to also

acknowledge,

honor,

and share about the positive parts and the remarkable people that kept some of the grossest moments in recent US history from becoming much worse than they did.

Because discovering all the crappy moments from the past, it can really bring you down, BUT holding on to the knowledge that the world is full of

incredible,

selfless,

others-centered,

and compassionate humans

and remembering that many of those great people spent their days trying to make crappy moments less crappy for others,

that can bring you up.

As a country, we are more than the scars we bear and those that caused them.

Way more.

We are

doctors,

teachers,

janitors,

medical waste workers,

home health aids,

delivery drivers,

essential workers of all kinds,

voters,

parents,

and yes, even kids.

We are you.

We are me.

We are so many others,

some better than you and me,

but we all are worth being proud of.

We are all an important part of a history we each had (and continue to have) a vital role in.

And, together, well, we can rewrite history to be one we're a bit more proud of.

It starts with us.

So why not change history, the only way we can at this point; by changing the story in which we have a direct role --

in our homes,

at our jobs,

in our interactions with all people -- even those whose views don't align with ours --

in our conversations with the little people who are just trying to understand the crazy world that they are living in,

in the attached and affectionate rearing of those respectful, loving-of-all-people kids,

and in our communities.

Then pray the history books one day write about all of that.