Like many others, I have fewer friendships than I used to. With the ones that survived, I notice they speak to this earlier version of myself - before the pressure of the last two plus years transformed me. They don’t see this new me.Kathleen Devanney's Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
I think you are correct about the two sides of the TDS Trump derangement syndrome. I know people on both sides of that issue and they are stuck in cement. He still pushes the waxeen, seems to me he is just another pawn in the lively theater, either an actor or a person that received an offer he could not refuse.
Just before sleepy Joe took over the Pinocchio part I made a trip to the USA to shut down my business. I was looking for my former manager that had the keys to the business so I could liquidate it. He had lost the original keys, which I had a back up pair with another individual and replaced the locks giving him the only keys. Could not track him down, so went to see his exwife to see if she could locate him.
It was in January and bitter cold and snowing, I knocked on her door, she opened it a crack and told me that she would not let me in as her house was a total mess as she could not clean it up while Trump was president; I should understand that, or some words to that effect. Her exhusband was even worse with the TDS, he was blaming Trump for the problems with the post office, and I told him that those problems were decades old. Wow, the threats that followed were bizarre.
I then understood the symptoms of TDS, and I see those on the other side of that coin, almost as deranged. Makes me glad I do not live in the USA.
Good writing and observations, it is sad that friends are now parrots, however I have heard of birdly parrots that were smart and could reason things out.
I think somewhere in the universe there was a glitch and we’re metaphysical twins or something. Every post you write is like you have taken my scrambled thoughts and oh so eloquently wrote them down.
I’m in Chicago. My friends also simply tolerate me. If you’re ever in this neck of the woods, please reach out. Just a good old fashion conversation might lift my (your) spirits.
What you write here mirrors my experience in many ways. Liberal until about ten years ago, I had my best friend of 40 years disown me before eventually moderating his position to tolerating me. So big of him! It does hurt to be told by a friend that maybe you are not the person they thought you were and to know they now look at you with wariness, ready to condemn you at one wrong phrase. When even Christ was humiliated and condemned, no surprise that it sometimes happens to us still in progress folks. Just keep on loving and being honest is all one can do and that's enough to grow ones soul.
Thank you for putting into words what we have been feeling. I used to be able to generalize that "we". It used to include certain sides of the extended family. But they are all jab happy with no thought and cannot quote the pros and cons of being jabbed or the cures. Mentioned Iver to them and they had never heard of it. This was just a few months ago. People can be a lock step Nazi with this or they can be those who blindly follow the rules with no questions, research or critical thinking. "I got the shot because my daughter in law, who works at Walgreens, told me we should have it." Um....she just became a pharmacy tech when the government was literally okaying your local dry cleaner to give jabs. Yeah, this whole worldwide picture is rotten to the core. Nice work!
I laughed at the “friends who keep you as their token black friend” - that’s my little brother and I!
I watched a podcast with Charles Riley last night. As I went to bed pondering it, I imagined sharing what I had picked up with my hubs and wondering “will this be the straw that breaks the camel’s back” - will hubs finally turn to me and say “you’ve finally gone crazy”? Or would it be worse if he turned to me and said “that sounds exactly right!”
You’ve got friends here, Kathleen, and we see you 🤗
Maybe we can organize a festival weekend for the unvaxxed critical thinkers?
I think you are correct about the two sides of the TDS Trump derangement syndrome. I know people on both sides of that issue and they are stuck in cement. He still pushes the waxeen, seems to me he is just another pawn in the lively theater, either an actor or a person that received an offer he could not refuse.
Just before sleepy Joe took over the Pinocchio part I made a trip to the USA to shut down my business. I was looking for my former manager that had the keys to the business so I could liquidate it. He had lost the original keys, which I had a back up pair with another individual and replaced the locks giving him the only keys. Could not track him down, so went to see his exwife to see if she could locate him.
It was in January and bitter cold and snowing, I knocked on her door, she opened it a crack and told me that she would not let me in as her house was a total mess as she could not clean it up while Trump was president; I should understand that, or some words to that effect. Her exhusband was even worse with the TDS, he was blaming Trump for the problems with the post office, and I told him that those problems were decades old. Wow, the threats that followed were bizarre.
I then understood the symptoms of TDS, and I see those on the other side of that coin, almost as deranged. Makes me glad I do not live in the USA.
Good writing and observations, it is sad that friends are now parrots, however I have heard of birdly parrots that were smart and could reason things out.
I think somewhere in the universe there was a glitch and we’re metaphysical twins or something. Every post you write is like you have taken my scrambled thoughts and oh so eloquently wrote them down.
I’m in Chicago. My friends also simply tolerate me. If you’re ever in this neck of the woods, please reach out. Just a good old fashion conversation might lift my (your) spirits.
What you write here mirrors my experience in many ways. Liberal until about ten years ago, I had my best friend of 40 years disown me before eventually moderating his position to tolerating me. So big of him! It does hurt to be told by a friend that maybe you are not the person they thought you were and to know they now look at you with wariness, ready to condemn you at one wrong phrase. When even Christ was humiliated and condemned, no surprise that it sometimes happens to us still in progress folks. Just keep on loving and being honest is all one can do and that's enough to grow ones soul.
Thank you for putting into words what we have been feeling. I used to be able to generalize that "we". It used to include certain sides of the extended family. But they are all jab happy with no thought and cannot quote the pros and cons of being jabbed or the cures. Mentioned Iver to them and they had never heard of it. This was just a few months ago. People can be a lock step Nazi with this or they can be those who blindly follow the rules with no questions, research or critical thinking. "I got the shot because my daughter in law, who works at Walgreens, told me we should have it." Um....she just became a pharmacy tech when the government was literally okaying your local dry cleaner to give jabs. Yeah, this whole worldwide picture is rotten to the core. Nice work!
OMG Kathleen - you can call me anytime!
I laughed at the “friends who keep you as their token black friend” - that’s my little brother and I!
I watched a podcast with Charles Riley last night. As I went to bed pondering it, I imagined sharing what I had picked up with my hubs and wondering “will this be the straw that breaks the camel’s back” - will hubs finally turn to me and say “you’ve finally gone crazy”? Or would it be worse if he turned to me and said “that sounds exactly right!”
So spot on. yup.
I think that most of us aren't the same person we were in the winter of 2019
I have new friends now. People in my “tribe”. People who question.
this is how i feel too 🐱🙏🐱... you are not alone
That's excellent! Good for you.
How did you meet them?
That's the key isn't it? Open to questioning and curious.
I think that most of us aren't the same person we were in the winter of 2019