THEN AND NOW - 1961-2016

In about 12 hours from now, 9:30PM, 55 years ago on 11/18/1961, my Mom and I arrived at Idlewild Airport aka JFK.

I was so cold and I was so, so excited, there was snow on the ground, it was 36 degrees as we waited for our family friend to get us, (he forgot where he had parked the car, and I won't even begin to tell you how cold I was, by the time he returned) none of that mattered, because we were in America.

I had flown here on a Pan Am propeller plane, we stopped in Bermuda to refuel, something went wrong and we sat on the plane for about 2 hours, my feet hurt because I had removed my shoes, but none of that mattered, because we were in America.

I saw a bridge for the first time, I saw highways filled with cars late in the evening, tall buildings, I saw so much that first night.

I was thrilled, I was one of the happiest teenagers on earth.

Are you wondering why I posted a picture of a wrecked airplane instead of one a shiny Pan Am prop that brought us here?

This is why:
For years I have watched on country skidding on a runway to destruction, last week on November 8, 2016, the pilot lost control and since then and for years to come, there will be a wreck where our country once was, and it will take years to repair.

Today, I am so sad, I am not dancing, I am not celebrating my 55 years here, I am crying, crying tears of endless sadness.

I hope and pray that somehow, we as a people will come together for the common good of our country and stand up for what is just and what is right.