We were small, but we were mighty. 💪
In the heart of Liberty, Missouri, love stood taller than hate.We saw it. We heard it.
And we answered — with peace signs, open hearts, and voices full of hope. ✌️❤️
I met a 3 year old and a 93 year old.
What a day to remember.
Out in the real world, beyond the noise and the fear,
we are stronger.
Today proved it — there are more of us than there are of them.
So much love, kindness, and real patriotism in one place.
People from every walk of life, standing shoulder to shoulder,
holding signs that spoke truth, not hate.
It reminded me that courage doesn’t have to roar —
sometimes it just stands quietly, holding a poster in the wind,
smiling back at anger with compassion.
Although I live in Kansas City, Missouri, my daughter’s doctors and social programs are in Liberty, so I’m there almost every day of the week. It’s a nice little suburb — one where I’ve rarely ever experienced rudeness. But it’s also a deeply red city, and because I suffer from severe anxiety, the thought of being in a protest crowd — especially one by the street, surrounded by strangers with signs — had my heart racing.
I went with a friend I met years ago while speaking on a panel for a class graduating from a physical therapy program. She invited a few people she knew from her church and from the special needs community. After we parked, we walked up to find a twerking dinosaur and an American eagle dancing side by side. That sight alone made me breathe easier.
There were people from all walks of life, standing side by side — just wanting to live side by side. Without hate. Without anger. Without judgment. In peace.
The most poignant moment of the day came when I noticed an elderly man standing alone behind me. I turned and asked how he was doing. He wore a Vietnam veteran cap. He looked me in the eye and said,
“I fought in Vietnam. I was hurt. I lost people I loved. And it sure wasn’t for this.”
I didn’t know what to say, except to thank him for his service and shake his hand. I’m not great with strangers or crowds, so I went to my friend — knowing she came from a military family — and told her what had just happened. Without hesitation, she turned on her heel, went straight to him, and within seconds they were hugging and crying.
Thank God she was there to hear that man and offer her heart and understanding.
I don’t want to be part of any world that shows cruelty to another human being because someone on TV told them who they should or shouldn’t live peacefully beside.
And in the end…
Yesterday reminded me that courage doesn’t always look loud or fearless.
Sometimes it’s shaky hands holding a sign anyway.
Sometimes it’s showing up when your anxiety tells you to stay home.
Sometimes it’s an old veteran finding kindness in a stranger’s smile.
That’s what patriotism really looks like — not flags or slogans or shouting matches,
but hearts that choose humanity over hate.
And for one small moment, on one small corner in Liberty, Missouri,
we did exactly that.
No comments:
Post a Comment