Reply #16: As scary as it is we have to be hopeful for our kids sake.

[terip64]

I worry about our anxiety being part of their childhood. My kids are big, 22, 19 and 15 but they will remember this time as anxious. There is no way around that. But we have to remember that things happen for a reason. I really believe that. After 23 years of marriage at 42 years old I have had my share of worry. Last time I was this anxious on a daily basis Reagan was in and I had a 2 and a 4 year old. And I was 24. Scary times.

But not like this. Maybe it had to get THIS bad for the stupid American people to wake the f--k up. You know what I mean? We all know these people, they dismiss us, think we are crazy, even make fun of us. I have too much class to make fun of them now, but I have made it known that I think they are foolish. I have lost respect for them and they know that, too. It is uncomfortable but I can't help it. I am parents with these people. I see their kids making mistakes and I watch them judge their own kids. It is the saddest thing. So many of these parents will call me and ask me advice as to how to deal with certain issues. I talk to them because I love the kids but every time it is a control thing. I always push them to accept that we truly have no control over our kids. If we are lucky we have control over ourselves. Our kids have to control themselves and we have to let them. The crazy Christian repugs can't and don't get that.

Here's the good part. These kids are more sophisticated than their parents. I tend to spend a lot of time with my kids' friends, mainly because I feed them. Well worth the investment. I talk to them. We talk about everything. I mean everything, especially my older daughters' friends. I don't hold back. These kids hate Bush, don't hate gay people, don't care if other people are religious, worry about the environment, aren't racist and are extremely tolerant people. Almost all of them anyway. If we can get through this rough spot, I believe that the future is bright.

The point is that worse case scenario, and brace yourself because I am the queen of imaging worse case scenarios, the planet slowly dies and we suffer a horrible death. (The silver lining is that in that world I spend every waking moment with my husband.) Look up tonight if it is clear. It doesn't make sense to me when I look up that we are it. Life, in one form or another will go in. It always does. Nobody can stop it. In the meantime, we survive. And we usually manage to do quite well. Have hope, friend, that our worse case scenario is science fiction and our best case scenario is sweeping the house and the senate in '06 and taking back the white house in '08. We are part of something big and it is scary but no matter what, life will go on. Feel good that you are among the knowing and not the ignorant. We are in good company!! I say get ready for a party!!!!