For nearly four years, I avoided writing about politics, which I once did for a loving and loved. The politics I write about no longer exists, and we’ll see if it can be brought back.

I was astonished when Donald Trump won that election. I am surprised at Joe Biden’s sure and steady hand at such an explosive time.

I love that about politics, I am always surprised, always learning, always humble. And sometimes, right. I always loved being a reporter, it provided cover for my curiosity and gift for confounding and annoying people.

I was reluctant to return to political writing, but I felt oddly irrelevant, even selfish if I didn’t write what I could for people to need a different perspective. I felt there were some holes I could fill.

I wanted to help people think, my sacred task.

It’s worked out well, I appreciate the thanks I’ve been getting in a steady stream, makes me feel worthwhile. I’m going to keep it going, perhaps for good. It seems quite natural to me. And I can still write all I want about dogs and donkeys and barn cats and Maria and the people in my life.

The response isn’t always sweet, of course.

I angered a lot of people by writing candidate and openly about politics. Every day for a month or so, something stormed off the site, enraged that there was anything here besides cute animal photos.

Most everyone stayed and more people came. Fresh blood is healthy.

Once a month or so, somebody threatens to kill me. Every day, sometimes tells me I am dumb, radical, and should be ashamed of myself.

One woman said I should be banned from social media for writing my opinions – a new idea of America.

When I wrote about politics the last time, that never happened. Lots of people always disagreed with me, I am odd in my opinions at times, but I don’t recall anyone trying to ban me or kill me for expressing myself.

This is still America, I kept telling myself.

And it’s true. Tolerance lives. Love lives. Trust lives. Truth lives. Integrity lives, and so does empathy and compassion.

I am grateful for the many people who disagree with me but stayed with me anyway. They are true patriots, they understand what America is all about.

Every day, no matter what is happening out there, I always come home to love.

Love is a big one for me, to love and be loved is grounding, there is the precious beating of my restored heart, and there is the raucous din outside.

I accept both as parts of life.

The outside world is unsettled. Love settles me, calms me, lifts me up. I always have something to smile about, to look forward to, to remind me of what is important in the world.

Maria and I laugh, squabble, share. We each have front row seats to the miracle of each other, and our life together.

Anger is temporal, love is real and everlasting.