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Stop sharing political posts and share this.

Yes, I’m Aware that, in regards to “sharing political posts,” that I am the most guilty. It’s why I’m standing in a Dollar General store bawling like a baby right now.

There’s a program called “Angel Tree,” where kids from disadvantaged families can be sponsored for Christmas. They put up trees in local businesses and people can “adopt” someone who is in need. I have had one at my shop for a few Christmases now. They are in lots of places here in town.

This morning I spent my time reading news about the election. Reading commentary, engaging in discussion, arguing with some. Extolling the virtues of others. I’m a political junkie–this is no surprise to anyone. It was a typical day for me. I went to work for a bit, fixed a phone, walked past the Angel Tree a few times, argued with a friend about the validity of protests. Debated with another on the necessity of an electoral college. Walked by the tree a few more times.

I’ve been in a heated group chat with some friends about the nationwide protests. Each side is posting meme and statistic and quote and working so hard to legitimize their position. We’ve all been glued to our phones or computers or TVs for a week now. Every person feels that they are right and have the proof to back it up. Every argument falls on deaf ears–only further solidifying the position we already have taken.

And then I glanced at this tree when I looked up from my phone for a second at Dollar General, and humanity smacked me in the face. Anyone out there have a 15 year old daughter? Any idea what they want for Christmas? If it’s anything like a 6 year old daughter, the answer is “they want everything.” In just a brief moment, it caught my eye that a 15 year old girl, when asked what they wanted, if someone could take five minutes out of their day and spare a couple Starbucks coffees, was “a sweatshirt.”

Can you imagine how complicated your life has to be, for your one wish to be “something that will keep me warm?” Not books, not makeup, not an iTunes gift card, a cell phone case…just “something to keep me warm.” Talk about feeling like an asshole. I looked at my fancy cell phone with custom case, my specially-ordered t-shirt, my smug “rightness” over the election, the disdain for their protestors…and realize how disgusting all of that is. Truly, grossly, unadulterated disgust.

A freaking sweatshirt. I spent more time arguing about electoral turnout this morning than it would have taken me to post pictures of every single one of these special requests. I spent more time listening to Nate Silver and RCP discussing “gerrymandering” than telling other people “hey look, this girl here–all she wants for Christmas is a volleyball. Can you help her out?” I spent more money on an anti-Hillary t-shirt than it would have cost me to buy a kid a sweatshirt.

I’m seriously disappointed. In myself, in my friends, in what this election has done to us as a people. Who are we, anymore? Have we lost that completely? HOW DARE WE do this? What right do we have, to prove our “rightness” so much that we live in a world where a person’s lone desire is just to be warm? I’m telling you, I’m sick. I’m horrified.

Just stop it. Stop sharing the bad news, the riots, the racist stuff, the gloating. Put down your signs and take your kid to the park. Put down your phones and go find one of these trees. If you have any care at all for people, you won’t be able to look at these and not feel overwhelmed at the simple requests. There’s one for a six year old girl that says “socks and underwear.” That’s my daughter’s age. Some little girl, just like my daughter, wants new underwear and socks, and that is ALL THEY ASKED FOR. And I’m on here bitching about nationalism vs globalism?

so here’s my challenge: go find one of these trees. Take care of someone, or, if you choose, post a picture of one of them and where it can be found. I am sick and tired of the news dominating our lives. Post it on here. Post it on your page. Open a door for someone today, buy a coffee for someone you disagree with. If you see a “now hiring” sign somewhere, share it on FB. People are looking for work. Offer to carry bags out of the store for someone, and share that here.

Nothing you or I can post or share politically is going to change anyone’s mind–you should know that by now. I’ve been the worst about it and I apologize. But I’ll be damned if a kid is cold this year because I was too busy arguing, to care about what really matters.