So ... once again ... I find myself frustrated with Facebook. Were it not for my kids & grandkids, for a few select friends and family, and for work ... I would delete my account in its entirety TODAY. A couple of days ago, I posted the below picture on MY timeline. I did not tag anyone. I did not ask anyone to look at it, to share it, to comment on it. I shared it in honor of Veteran's Day, and in light of all that has gone on in our country in the last few months especially. I shared it from a heart of gratitude and respect for our military - those who serve so selflessly to give & to ensure our freedoms. Remembering and encouraging others to remember that we are the Home of the Free because of the actions of the Brave. After over 20 likes & loves for the picture, after comments of "I love this!" ... there is one who deemed it necessary to comment this: Susan: There are many Americans who believe flag patronage is idolatry. Many within the realms of Christianity. These discussions only serve to tell others you do not find them of worth or deserving of citizenship because they don't believe like you. To which I should have remained silent. But I didn't. Susan and I have been "friends" for about 15 years. We have had many good conversations and discussions. We have "walked" thru a lot of living and life with one another thru the years. I love her. However, in the last few months, every time I post something that is patriotic, especially about my Flag? She must comment and it turns nasty very quickly. Sigh. I know this. I know how she is. I should have remained silent. But I didn't. Her last statement was like an arrow piercing my heart. "These discussions only serve to tell others you do not find them of worth or deserving of citizenship because they don't believe like you." Because she knows me better than this. She knows this is NOT what I was saying, nor implying, with the sharing of this picture. This was simply her way of hurting me ... and hurt me she did. And respond I did. My response: Margaret: Susan,Of all people for you to say these words to! You know me better than to say that I find no one of worth or deserving of citizenship. You know that I have a heart of understanding and acceptance! UGH! I guess you are simply intent on stirring the pot and breaking my heart - over and over. Every damn time I post something patriotic. I don't care who this offends! This is MY country and I am proud of the Flag - long may she wave in freedom, because of the BRAVE. If you, or any one else, does not like what I post? SCROLL ON BY! Or wave good-bye as I am unfriended, blocked, or deleted. I really don't give a rat's ass today. I see the flags of other countries and religions posted all the damn time. Does it offend me? NO! Because the blood of brothers and sisters have been spilled to give them the right to post what they damn well please. Lives of my family and friends have been sacrificed so that others can be offended at MY flag. I was not asking for a discussion here. I am simply sharing the pride of my heart, the blessing that I live under - MY FLAG. If you, or anyone else, doesn't like it? Leave it. Leave my page. Leave my friendship. Leave my country. I don't give a damn any more. I spoke words of truth, from a weary heart and a tired soul. Tired of being told what I should or should not post on MY Facebook. Weary of having to "walk the line" of political correctness, when so many do not - but if and when I do not? Then I am attacked publicly and privately. I had the right to remain silent, to not respond ... but in this? This moment? This Veteran's Day? After everything? I did not have the ability to remain silent. I knew that no matter what I said, even if I 100% agreed with her (which I don't, but let's just say for the sake of "peace" I gave the olive branch of agreement), or made a formal & public apology for posting the picture (which I wasn't going to do, because I was not sorry for sharing it) ... NOTHING I said was going to matter to her. NOTHING I said was going to be right. NOTHING was going to change her mind - which by the way, I was NOT trying to do! Because simply? I believe she has the right to her opinion - even if I think it is wrong. It is hers. And the same blood that was spilled for MY freedom, was also spilled for hers. Her next response was this: I did not respond to this one on Facebook. Rather, I am responding here. Not that I think she will ever read this, nor do I care that she doesn't, but as a good Southern woman? I WILL have my say! lol So, the writing in blue is my response. Susan: Actually no Margaret. I'm not trying to stir a pot. Yes, honey, you are. That is what you do. I accept that, even if I don't like it, nor do I approve. These memes are divisive. Period. They are judgmental. No, the ones who stir the pot are being divisive and judgmental. Exactly what you accuse me of being - is what you are doing. America is a great country. Agreed! We have the freedom to believe whatever we want. Agreed again! To suggest anything else is disrespectful to many Americans who do deserve citizenship. And yet again, Agreed! As for Chris ? not sure who this "Chris" is ? ....this is not elementary school. You are exactly right! But, how many people, such as yourself, just cannot scroll on by? Behaving as tho every meme, every post, that you do not like or 100% agree with is targeted at you? That is childish and selfish behavior. And my citizenship is not dependent on the opinions of those who stoop to name calling. No, your citizenship is dependent on where you were born, or on your work and learning to take the test and become an American citizen. Thank goodness. Don't any of you dare suggest I don't appreciate the service of our men and women at arms. They fought for my freedom. And the freedom of those who believe this is idolatry. They fought for the Jehovah Witness. They fought for many people who don't believe like this. Guess what...every single one of them have worth. I was born and raised Army and spent a life time on military bases. I have family that fought in the front line and even considered service myself. The great soldiers and sailors I know and spent a lifetime knowing, understood they defended freedom. You are saying the same thing I have said in this post & these comments. You are saying the same thing that I have said in every conversation that we have had about patriotism. Our brave men and women have fought, shed their blood, given their lives, sacrificed everything, for our freedom. That we may have the right to share whatever we want to share, and that we have the right to SCROLL ON BY if we don't like what someone else has posted. ? While I agree with these words you have just written, I do not understand your anger in writing them. Nor do I understand why you now say the same thing as I have been saying, and yet you are seeking to turn them into an argument of point for you. ? ? ? That's American. Not insisting everyone do the same thing. That's just it, Susan. I have NEVER insisted on everyone doing the same thing as I do. Wouldn't that be a boring world if we all believed the same, if we all acted or reacted the same, if we all did the very same thing? You know deep in your heart, knowing me like you say you do, that I would NEVER ask, let alone insist, that everyone do the same thing! I grow weary of this Not as much as I do, and that I can absolutely guarantee! and the instant anger that is met Honey, YOU are the ONLY one angry here, as always when I point out that perhaps what someone says causes another human pain. No matter what I say, or do, someone, somewhere, at some time, is going to be offended. It is the nature of the beast. Especially when you are searching for offense. Your words have power. You can choose to use those words to help or to divide. Oh how many times have I said these very words? And how many times have I said them in conversation with YOU? Yes, there is the power of life and death in the tongue ... and in the written word. But again, if someone is looking for offense? They ARE going to find it, no matter what I say or do, or write, or share. It's not pot stirring Margaret. But hey, if that's how you feel then go ahead and block me. I haven't blocked you. Never said I was going to. I just figured for your own peace and sanity you probably would block me, and that is your freedom & right. You are more intent on thinking I am just trying to cause trouble than honestly pointing out...hey someone might be hurt by your words. I know my heart, and knowing me as you say you do, you should know my heart too. There is not one thought in me of hurting anyone! But again, if someone is looking for a way to be offended? They are going to find it. So, let me ask you, at the "risk" of hurting someone with my words - should I just be quiet? Never say a word again? Never share a meme? Never write another word? Where does it end, Susan? Why can't you or anyone else who is offended or hurt by what I say or share or post, just simply SCROLL ON BY? And just for the record? I scoped out your FB page, and I saw many things on there that I do not like, that I do not agree with, that if I were looking for hurt - I certainly would have found it. But yet, I did not comment ... I did not attack you ... I scrolled on by. I spend my days trying to pull people from the edge of death and have lost that battle often lately. I am sorry that you have such a hard life. That your job has put a demand on your heart and thoughts. I am sorry for those that have lost the battle in this life, and yet as you have told me - they are no longer suffering. There is no tolerance left in me for people to be inhumane to one another. I haven't had any tolerance for rude behavior, nor for childish behavior in adults in a LONG time. Hence, my initial response to your original comment about a meme that I shared on MY wall! I love you Margaret, I love you, too, Susan. Always have, and always will. but your attitude saddens me. And yet again, the very words I have said to you. Did my saying them to you make a difference in your attitude? Did it stir your heart with hurt that you have injured me? No, because you are so focused on being offended that you cannot see the ridiculousness of your arguments, your anger, your misplaced (on me) frustrations. Your words are hurtful to people, but every time I point it out, you get mad at me instead. People are going to be offended at anything and everything IF they are looking to be offended. Most of the liberals that I know are seeking something to be offended by - just so that they can have a voice. I am not mad now. Have not been mad at you, nor at anyone else. I'm out. Don't worry. I won't respond to anything else you say again. I'm too tired anymore. I just wish I didn't care. This is almost laughable. Sadly. These words could have been copied and pasted from ME to YOU in the last conversation we had. I should have kept to my words that "I would not respond to anything else you say again". But I did not. That is my ONLY apology. I do not apologize for sharing the meme. I do not apology for honoring the Flag (and just for the record? I do not worship the Flag, I honor it. There is a BIG difference, honey). You think YOU are too tired? Bah, humbug! You don't know 2¢ of the meaning of "tired" - until you find yourself in the midst of widowhood. And as for "Wishing I didn't care"? I wish that every day of my life. I wish that every moment of every day. I even find myself wishing that I didn't care about you any more, or the 15 year old relationship / friendship that we have had. I wish it didn't bother me, all of this. Yet, it does. My heart is stupid. It's who I am. :( . So, this is where I find myself this morning. Wondering if I should simply delete my Facebook, at the off chance that some one, some where, at some time, will be offended by what I write, or share, or post? But if I do, where does it stop? I do find myself on a restriction with Facebook now. Not my choice, but one that is being imposed on me. The post has been removed. I did not know until this morning that there are levels of Facebook Jail. Looks like I am in the first degree of it for a few days. You know, I have seriously tried not to post much of a political or religious nature on Facebook, nor even writing much of it here on my own website. Not because I am afraid to share my thoughts and convictions, but simply not wanting the confrontation and combat zone.
I have posted, shared and written of patriotism. As a Daughter of the Revolution, a Daughter of the Confederacy, and a Daughter of Texas - my blood runs red, white and blue. I love my heritage. I love my ancestors. I love my country. I love my Flag. And now I find that even that offends others. So be it & Amen. Rick used to say that if we were on the devil's side there would be no one confronting us. Only those who are on the front lines of the right side are hit from every point and attacked. I must abide by the terms of restriction on Facebook, at least until they review my posts and see if there is any thing that would cause me to land in Facebook Jail. God Bless the U.S.A. She's a Grand Ole Flag and I love her so!
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