Every day is a study in contradictions.

I take our oldest on college visits while wondering whether student loans will still exist. I ask the kids about their school day while also asking whether anyone is harassing or bullying them (not so far) and worrying whether they’re about to lose their accommodation plans. I plan our town group’s first Pride event while worrying about how many people are losing their rights.

Last weekend, I helped a fellow alumnus write a letter to our own college condemning recent antisemitic, racist, and transphobic speech on campus, and it posted the same day I learned that the youngest Israeli hostages were coming home in coffins. And meanwhile American public figures keep making what sure do look like Nazi salutes.

I don’t think hateful people and movements can win in the end, but they can hurt a lot of people in the meantime.

What’s the answer? We do what we can, day by day.

Be a decent human being, help others, don’t give in to bullies. Don’t trust anyone who tells you to hate people who are “different.”

We all have more power than we think.

Meanwhile I will keep telling stories, because that is what I’m good at. And maybe the stories will make a difference.

Stay safe out there.