2022 Life Logs, Day 06: A Day of Reflection on January 6
Date: Thursday, January 6, 2022
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, Waiting for Snow Overnight; High Temp 43, Low Temp 29 degrees F
Location: At Home in The Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
Depending on where you live in the world and your cultural or religious beliefs, January 6 each year means something a little different. In most Latin American and Caribbean countries this day is celebrated as Three Kings or All Kings Day. Feliz Dia de Reyes! The day is celebrated in honor of the three wise men who have come to be known as Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspar or Casper. They came from Arabia, from Persia, from India, to bring gifts to the baby Jesus. So, on this day gifts are given and games are played. It is a festive day. Others celebrate January 6 as Epiphany, one of the oldest Christian festivals. According to Wikipedia, “Epiphany, also known as Theophany in Eastern Christian traditions, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ.” My grandchildren in Puerto Rico celebrate today as All Kings Day and the official end of the holiday season. School does not start again there until next week. I have never really celebrated this day, but after what happened in our Capitol last January 6, I will now observe this day as one of reflection and determination.
This afternoon I attended a Vigil for Democracy on Main Street in Falmouth. It was not well attended, but at least the people there were enthusiastic. Our Representative to Washington, Bill Keating, was present and addressed the group. The message of the Vigil was to remember January 6 by sending our Senators a message to protect our democracy now by passing the two voting rights acts. The other message was that we all need to do our part in making this happen. There are many ways to get involved, but I started small. I researched quotes I might want to put on a sign for future vigils. I’d like to share with you what I found. Please feel free to share with me any favorite quotes on democracy that you might have
“Democracy is not a spectator sport, it’s a participatory event. If we don’t participate in it, it ceases to be a democracy.” This quote is from Michael Moore, an American documentary filmmaker, author, and left-wing activist.
“A healthy democracy requires a decent society; it requires that we are honorable, generous, tolerant, and respectful.” This quote is from Charles W. Pickering, who served as the United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi and, briefly, of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, based in New Orleans, Louisiana.
“Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country.
This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.” Thurgood Marshall
I also loved a t-shirt I saw Michelle Obama holding in an ad for Hear Our Voice.
Kindness
PEACE
Equality
LOVE
Inclusion
HOPE
Diversity
