Wow. I am overwhelmed with emotion in reading these comments. I wish I could respond to each and every one of them but please know that I see you and am there for you.
For those who are suffering, I pray for healing. For those mourning, I send my deepest condolences. For those working on fresh starts, I cheer you on. For those who are thankful, I appreciate your humility.
This community fills me with hope. I am fueled by your decency and empathy. Thank you all very much for your condor and compassion. Steady we go.
I want to echo Dan's sentiments. Thank you all for making the Steady community so special. Reading these comments, and seeing the human interactions, is uplifting even as we know people are struggling.
It’s so ironic and delightful to read this missive from you! Just in this last week there were three events In my life that illustrate your message. Being almost 87 years of age, I am seeing many loved ones passing on. So I was heartened to receive a letter (in an actual stamped envelope) from a childhood friend in Norway I’d been trying to contact. Then, a phone call from a friend from my school counseling years that I had also been trying to contact for weeks. And to top it all off, the mother of one of my students from 1995 called, leading to a lovely brunch together, talking for hours, sharing pictures of children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren. Getting old does have heartwarming rewards! I love the community of Steady and thank you so much for your humanity.
I have designed a graphic tee shirt that reflects the level of participation that Americans usually vote. Wearing it could encourage other Americans that you encounter or know, to get out to vote. There are also other wonderful tee shirts, etc. for your buying pleasure.
The work I do is exhausting, with a lot of time spent digging through horrible news stories about abuse, human rights violations and legalese. For my fellow activist writers, I feel your pain. I wish I could hug all of you right now, especially the people covering LGBTQIA+ issues in the States.
Keep going, but don't work yourselves to the bone. It's okay to rest or reach out when you need somebody to talk to- this stuff is heavy!
The same goes to you, Dan. We see you, too. And we're all here for you.
I would like to express my most sincere thanks to you Dan, and Elliot for being the Steady rock we need in these uncertain times. I know most of us here are concerned for our democracy. I am late in responding to this as I had to take a break from all the news. So much going on it is just overwhelming at times.
I appreciate that you asked and too often those words aren’t meant in sincerity like yours were.
Late to this party having been semi-buried in work (for which I am thankful): I think I’m improving on not holding my breath so often with all the craziness. It’s an overload of epic proportions to which I am saying “none for me, thanks.” I feel gratitude for all of you.
Not great, to be honest. Also, having some trouble navigating meaningfully through all these comments. (How do I condense replies? Ok, I see how to do that now...)
I am just catching up on my emails. I am a child care provider and I decided, back in 2020, I was not going to work all three of the school vacations anymore. I had extra kiddos during the holiday vacation and I will have extra kiddos during their April vacation. I certainly enjoy what I do and I know that I have to take care of me so I can take care of those that depend on me. I spent the week of February 28th running away from the snow in Vermont and soaking up some sun!
Thank you Dan and Elliot for the words of hope and wisdom. Hope should be our driving force and or motivation in this country in the days, weeks ,months and years ahead. We must not be seduced by an easy path I could be wrong but I believe that is what got us here in the first place. So everyone vote.
I had a friend of Irish extraction (sadly no longer with us) who would respond to this question with "The better for your having asked". It speaks to me about the thoughtfulness of the inquiry, how often perfunctory greetings can have a salutary effect.
Actually I am reading this a few days later. Been pretty angry lately. So overwhelmed at work and they keep wanting me to do more. Since I am 8 days and 3 years from retirement tough to make a move at the salary I am at. Then my mom who I am not close to has some medical stuff going on that she will want me to miss work over. I work with my brother and he does alot (the favorite) for her but that puts more on my plate when he is not at work. She doesn't understand that everyone works full time. Doesn't bother her if I go to into work early or stay late. I have my own older person in my husband that I have to do things for. Burnt out on so much. Then my husband will believe the BS that Tucker Carlson spews. Just worn out on it all. Your articles are a beacon of hope. I love your smile for a Saturday. That does make me smile. I do miss your poetry readings Dan that you did during the early pandemic. Would to hear some of those again. Also thank you both for asking!!
Does your husband read Dan Rather's essays? What is your husband's response to the news that Tucker Carlson and other Fox celebrities ridiculed The Big Lie privately, while publicly promoting it to viewers?
We try to avoid political discussions as much as possible. He is a republican and it is not worth the arguing that will go on. Yes he has read some of Dan's essays.
Over the past several months, I have written notes to people I know need encouragement. Real mail seems to mean more than a text or email - something we can hold in our hand and re-read. Phone calls are perhaps even better. Personal communication keeps us steady. I look forward to your writing and ideas. Please continue helping us find goodness in the world, Dan and Elliot.
I just finished reading today’s post of Heather Cox Richardson. It gave details of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama. White men used extreme violence to retain their supremacy over Black Americans. Reading all the details made me very sad. So sad I put my elbows on my desk and, with tears in my eyes, asked God to help me in my sadness. And I prayed for the Black people not only in 1965, but also for today.
Then, my prayers moved to those who treated Blacks so harshly, not only in 1965, but also for today. I clarified in my mind that I do not like these whites. I do not like their opinions, I do not like their actions.
With a little effort, I pushed myself to extend my love for them. I wish for them to be less prejudiced, less violent, and much more in line with what Jesus would preach. I sent out my love.
I feel better. I believe I have just made this world a bit better.
Wow. I am overwhelmed with emotion in reading these comments. I wish I could respond to each and every one of them but please know that I see you and am there for you.
For those who are suffering, I pray for healing. For those mourning, I send my deepest condolences. For those working on fresh starts, I cheer you on. For those who are thankful, I appreciate your humility.
This community fills me with hope. I am fueled by your decency and empathy. Thank you all very much for your condor and compassion. Steady we go.
Best wishes,
Dan
Consider you are at the hub of it all. ❤️✌️
You and Elliot and this newsletter provide ME with hope. Thank you so very much.
I want to echo Dan's sentiments. Thank you all for making the Steady community so special. Reading these comments, and seeing the human interactions, is uplifting even as we know people are struggling.
Here, here. Couldn't agree more!
I could not have said it better. Thank you
Agreed!
It’s so ironic and delightful to read this missive from you! Just in this last week there were three events In my life that illustrate your message. Being almost 87 years of age, I am seeing many loved ones passing on. So I was heartened to receive a letter (in an actual stamped envelope) from a childhood friend in Norway I’d been trying to contact. Then, a phone call from a friend from my school counseling years that I had also been trying to contact for weeks. And to top it all off, the mother of one of my students from 1995 called, leading to a lovely brunch together, talking for hours, sharing pictures of children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren. Getting old does have heartwarming rewards! I love the community of Steady and thank you so much for your humanity.
On a somewhat related subject:
I have designed a graphic tee shirt that reflects the level of participation that Americans usually vote. Wearing it could encourage other Americans that you encounter or know, to get out to vote. There are also other wonderful tee shirts, etc. for your buying pleasure.
Please visit my site at amourfate1.myshopify.com and show your support! Thank you!
In a world in which life is more and more disparate it is nice to have someone pause and ask how you are! I am well and enjoying my life.
Peace,
Dan
I love this! Thank you for your inspiration every day!!
I'm tired, but doing alright.
The work I do is exhausting, with a lot of time spent digging through horrible news stories about abuse, human rights violations and legalese. For my fellow activist writers, I feel your pain. I wish I could hug all of you right now, especially the people covering LGBTQIA+ issues in the States.
Keep going, but don't work yourselves to the bone. It's okay to rest or reach out when you need somebody to talk to- this stuff is heavy!
The same goes to you, Dan. We see you, too. And we're all here for you.
I would like to express my most sincere thanks to you Dan, and Elliot for being the Steady rock we need in these uncertain times. I know most of us here are concerned for our democracy. I am late in responding to this as I had to take a break from all the news. So much going on it is just overwhelming at times.
I appreciate that you asked and too often those words aren’t meant in sincerity like yours were.
Late to this party having been semi-buried in work (for which I am thankful): I think I’m improving on not holding my breath so often with all the craziness. It’s an overload of epic proportions to which I am saying “none for me, thanks.” I feel gratitude for all of you.
Not great, to be honest. Also, having some trouble navigating meaningfully through all these comments. (How do I condense replies? Ok, I see how to do that now...)
I am just catching up on my emails. I am a child care provider and I decided, back in 2020, I was not going to work all three of the school vacations anymore. I had extra kiddos during the holiday vacation and I will have extra kiddos during their April vacation. I certainly enjoy what I do and I know that I have to take care of me so I can take care of those that depend on me. I spent the week of February 28th running away from the snow in Vermont and soaking up some sun!
Thank you for all you do!!
Thank you Dan and Elliot for the words of hope and wisdom. Hope should be our driving force and or motivation in this country in the days, weeks ,months and years ahead. We must not be seduced by an easy path I could be wrong but I believe that is what got us here in the first place. So everyone vote.
Good idea. I’ll do that. Thanks!!
I had a friend of Irish extraction (sadly no longer with us) who would respond to this question with "The better for your having asked". It speaks to me about the thoughtfulness of the inquiry, how often perfunctory greetings can have a salutary effect.
Actually I am reading this a few days later. Been pretty angry lately. So overwhelmed at work and they keep wanting me to do more. Since I am 8 days and 3 years from retirement tough to make a move at the salary I am at. Then my mom who I am not close to has some medical stuff going on that she will want me to miss work over. I work with my brother and he does alot (the favorite) for her but that puts more on my plate when he is not at work. She doesn't understand that everyone works full time. Doesn't bother her if I go to into work early or stay late. I have my own older person in my husband that I have to do things for. Burnt out on so much. Then my husband will believe the BS that Tucker Carlson spews. Just worn out on it all. Your articles are a beacon of hope. I love your smile for a Saturday. That does make me smile. I do miss your poetry readings Dan that you did during the early pandemic. Would to hear some of those again. Also thank you both for asking!!
Does your husband read Dan Rather's essays? What is your husband's response to the news that Tucker Carlson and other Fox celebrities ridiculed The Big Lie privately, while publicly promoting it to viewers?
We try to avoid political discussions as much as possible. He is a republican and it is not worth the arguing that will go on. Yes he has read some of Dan's essays.
Over the past several months, I have written notes to people I know need encouragement. Real mail seems to mean more than a text or email - something we can hold in our hand and re-read. Phone calls are perhaps even better. Personal communication keeps us steady. I look forward to your writing and ideas. Please continue helping us find goodness in the world, Dan and Elliot.
Sunday, 3/5/2023
I just finished reading today’s post of Heather Cox Richardson. It gave details of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama. White men used extreme violence to retain their supremacy over Black Americans. Reading all the details made me very sad. So sad I put my elbows on my desk and, with tears in my eyes, asked God to help me in my sadness. And I prayed for the Black people not only in 1965, but also for today.
Then, my prayers moved to those who treated Blacks so harshly, not only in 1965, but also for today. I clarified in my mind that I do not like these whites. I do not like their opinions, I do not like their actions.
With a little effort, I pushed myself to extend my love for them. I wish for them to be less prejudiced, less violent, and much more in line with what Jesus would preach. I sent out my love.
I feel better. I believe I have just made this world a bit better.