Not From

Homer’s epic poem describes the vulnerability of the legendary strong, courageous and loyal warrior, Achilles. His heel became his downfall and became a story that endured for generations.,

As 2020 moves slowly now into the land of legend, I begin to wonder if America’s fatal weakness has also been discovered.

We were once known as the Land of the Brave, the Home of the Free, and a haven for the oppressed

However, our extraordinary strength was fed and nurtured by love of family and a subtle but underlying dependence on others regardless of how frenzied life became..

This past holiday season, whether it was celebrated by observance of Hanukkah or the Miracle of Christmas, was obviously diminished by the lack of familial support.

As the days and hours slowly trekked down toward the beloved holiday, we were warned on a constant and almost minute by minute basis of the vulnerability of communication. Consequently, Americans became incredibly more fearful of contagion and wary of traditional celebrations.

As the long awaited vaccine slowly and steadily emerged, and hope began to trickle quietly back, we were threatened with a third strain of the deadly virus.

I am prone to imagination, and I will not deny an obvious vulnerability in this area. However, I must wonder about the power of fear and its consequences.

If we discard our strength, and dwell only on vulnerability, will our country and our lifestyle survive?

If we move ever so quietly and insidiously away from dependence on familial relationships, will our beliefs survive? If we rely only on the negativity and despair of what we read, hear and view, how long before like Achilles we are destroyed as a nation?

Has America’s fatal weakness, our \traditional strength, love and comfort of family, been discovered and is now under attack?

Will America’s defeat come not from battle, but by the loss of the strength and power of love and family?