Our children are watching how we respond

Since 1996, I have written columns for the McCook Gazette on and off in one capacity or another, whether as a reporter for the newspaper, for the McCook YMCA or now on behalf of the McCook Community Foundation Fund. Coming up with ideas on a weekly basis usually comes easy for me but some weeks are harder than others. This is one of those hard weeks.

The election is now over so thankfully the calls, texts and mailings have come to an end. It also means we have to deal with the repercussions of our decisions in the election.

For some, the election left them elated and every issue, candidate and situation went their way. For others, they are trying how to figure out how to move forward because nothing they supported passed or made it into office.

But most of us are likely somewhere in the middle with some issues moving into law and candidates getting elected while other ballot measures failed and the candidates we wanted to see making policy decisions and shaping our future didn’t get make it into office.

This is when the truly hard work begins and I’m not talking about how laws get passed or issues get resolved. The hard work will be how we move forward with such division, emotions running high and feelings on edge.

One thing that seems to have happened more and more over the past few years is the “us versus them” mentality and the gloating that comes when one side wins and the other side loses. We don’t stop to consider that the other side are people too, with feelings and emotions. The other side has simply been reduced to “those people.”

Yet, our daily lives are not a football game with a winner and a loser. We don’t get to pick sides, with a winner-take-all mentality which leaves the other side with nothing.

Actually, football games may be more civil than regular life as both teams usually come together at the end of a game to shake hands, say “good game” and maybe even give each other a hug.

In our daily lives, we aren’t taking the time nor the effort to consider that we are in this life together and that we are all working toward one goal - to have the best life possible for ourselves, for our friends and neighbors and for our kids and grandkids.

And that may be the most important idea to take away from the recent events: How are we showing them how to treat others? Is it with hate and division or is it with love and respect?

They are watching how we respond and interact with each other and it will affect their view of the world. Will they become hardened to the good things in life or look upon every little thing with awe and wonder?

Thankfully I had a reminder this week why we are working to make our hometowns better, why we need to be respectful of one other, and why we need to appreciate each and every day.

On the day after the election with a steady rain falling, I had a last-minute request to put on my bus-driver hat and transport several St. Patrick classes to the High Plains Museum to view the traveling Sheldon Museum art exhibit. The artwork is on display over the next month at no charge thanks to the museum hosting and the McCook Arts Council sponsoring so please try to stop by.

But it was the bus ride that was gave me pause and left an impact on my day. The 7th and 8th graders were respectful as they boarded the bus. For them, they were just thankful for not having to walk in the cold rain but this was just another bus ride.

Later in the day, the kindergartners walked onto the bus with rain dripping from their coats and a few shivers because of the cold weather. Yet more than one exclaimed it was the “best day ever!” as they made their way to their seats.

After the art tour and upon returning to the school on the bus, the youngest St. Pat students disembarked with more than one again proclaiming that it was the “best day ever.” With their teacher following the last student off the bus, I asked if this was their first bus trip of the year. She responded that it was and it was unexpected and unplanned because of the rain.

A bus ride, which I had done hundreds of times whether as a driver or as a passenger, was a no longer a novel idea. But for these kindergartners, it was the “best day ever” in their young lives. Something as simple as a short bus ride brought joy to these young students, something many of have lost because we are too focused on fighting with the other side.

Being part of someone’s “best day ever” put a much-needed grin on my face and reminded me of what we are working for: that we are working day-in, day-out for the next generation.

We need to remember that our children are watching how we treat others and how we go about our days. Is it with respect about how we talk to others? How what we may post online will affect people in our community? Do we take joy in the little things or dwell on the bad things? Are we doing all we can do make some else’s day the “best day ever”?

It is apt that as we consider how to make someone’s day the “best day ever,” we are in middle of the Southwest Nebraska Big Give on Thursday, Nov. 7 or it has just taken place depending upon when you read this. The 24-hours of giving, which runs through midnight on Nov. 7 (but can accept late donations) is another example of how we need to support one another and how we can make an impact in our community.

The Big Give provides the opportunity to donate to groups that are making a difference in both small and large projects, in day-to-day necessities and long-term ventures.

This is another example of how our next generation is watching what we are doing. Are we supporting the groups that help our communities grow and thrive? Are we showing that is important to get involved both with our time and our money?

The Southwest Nebraska Big Give is the perfect opportunity to make it the “best day ever” for someone or some group. And as the saying goes - It is better to give than to receive - it could be the “best day ever” for you too.