Maybe We All Grew Up

Please don't confuse the fact that we're using humor, to convey we're not being serious or the seriousness of the issue being addressed. The internet today has been awash with memes with Geoffrey the Giraffe from Toy's "R" Us, telling the world goodbye. One of the more poignant memes has him sitting on a bench with the sunset saying the words;

"I guess they all grew up"

It's silly, we know. Inspiration comes from weird places sometimes, we think maybe through this humor we may be onto something.Maybe that's what is going on with our country. The inability of each of us to listen, discuss and still be friends, it plagues this nation like we've never before seen. Maybe we all did grow up. Maybe we grew up so much that we all now take life a little too seriously. We know, we know it's not super clever to take life advice from memes, but really, did we all get to a point where everything is so serious that we are losing friends, neighbors, and family over differing opinions? Over different solutions to problems.Obviously, we can tell that there are some out there whose vitriolic hatred for each other won't be stemmed, but, the vast majority of Americans...maybe we should remember (at risk of using another cliche statement) we're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time. We're here to be the best people we can be.

We are Americans, we're supposed to be the shining example of how a constitutional republic, a melting pot, a place with hundreds if not thousands of different and unique cultures, a place where all of us can coexist, peacefull and respectfully. Maybe we did all grow up because everything seems, keyword being SEEMS, to be trending towards everyone digging their heels in and viewing their countrymen as their enemy.Can we all just be kids again, to a degree? Remember to lighten up? Not everything is a life or death emergency and it's doubtful that the republic will fail because of a disagreement between you and your neighbors.Maybe we all did grow up, and maybe that's why we don't deserve Toy's "R" Us and Geoffrey the Giraffe (we know it's actually because of poor business strategy, but throw us a bone here). We know it sounds silly, but maybe, just maybe there is a small grain of truth involved.