I always feel glad when you write that you have taken or are taking a break. Your steadfastness in producing Letters from an American has to take quite a toll but, for what it's worth, they make a difference to me. Thank you for continuing to think and write.
Let the world turn without you tomorrow, too. Your newsletter has become so important to me, and by extension, you are important to me. Please take care of yourself and have a restful, lovely holiday. Monday will be here soon enough.
Thank you is so inadequate for your almost daily letter. I read it before my glasses are even fully on in the morning knowing there will be all matters of importance clearly laid out and fully considered. I have learned so much! I refer to you as a national treasure.
Reading the comments here so far has brought a bright light into a difficult day. Thank you all for your positivity and astute comments, and your generosity and compassion toward each other.
Thanks to you also, Dr. Richardson. You've been a voice of hope, logic and light during trying times - a constant drum beat of sanity. May the peace of the season shine on you and may your rest today fortify you.
Why was this a difficult day? After xmas dinner in the garage last year with one child - distanced and masked and sanitized as much as possible - I hoped for something more normal this year. I hoped to see both kids/families in person. But no - COVID intrudes again with daughter finding out today she's COVID positive. Hopefully, it's one of the false positives inherent with the rapid test but in the meantime, we all quarantine. Which meant that son and daughter-in-law and granddaughter, en-route when the news arrived, were subjected to the well-ventilated garage for gifts and a nosh. No hugs. Their overnight stay was aborted. Lost time with family; much grief and fear for daughter. Fear for myself - daughter was here yesterday. Can't wait for this crappy pandemic to be over and feeling grateful for vaccines which will offer protection from the worst of the virus.
Kathe, this sounds really hard, and I'm glad that you shared this with us as you experienced the "bright light" from the community. May you and all in your family be well very soon. Blessings.
Thank you, Chaplain Terry. Not sure how this will play out for any of us yet. Know it was probably inevitable that the pandemic would directly touch our lives but it could have picked a better day!
Indeed! There have been many times in my 76 years when the Universe's timing is completely out of alignment with my desires!!! What's so amazing is that looking back, often the timing was just right! And yet in the moment, it still s**ks! Holding and honoring both the feelings that are so difficult and the truth that there is good in any situation because there is good in each of us - may be the most difficult challenge of our lives.....and the most rewarding as we get better at it!
Music is medicine—one of our fellow subscribers posted a link to Joni Mitchell’s “River” Christmas song (50th anniversary with a beautiful animated video). Now I have an earworm tune that has been a sweet distraction from the world, at least for today. Keep singing 🎶🎶
Best wishes from the other coast. Hope her case is mild. What a disappointing day for you. The up and down aspect of this virus is exhausting. But better days are ahead.
Kathe, my thoughts are with you as you navigate the next few days waiting to know everyone, including yourself, is okay. Yes, this damn Covid continues to try us all.
It was exhausting before all this because we have unvaccinated family members, including a too-young-for-it granddaughter. Working out safety logistics for the occasional visit is crazy. I actively resist getting resentful.
A peaceful night and restful holiday. Your tracing of history and resulting insights are invaluable to all of us, it seems, but I join with others to say, take care of yourself, and do the things you love to do to refresh yourself. A Merry Christmas to your Maine family from Vermont.
Merry Christmas, Professor. I am so grateful for your diligence to help us understand (myself especially) just what the heck’s going in daily politics and couching mortal blows to our democracy with a liberal dose of historical context. You’ve kept me interested in my community and in raising awareness about action we, the people, need to take in order to keep authoritarianism from gaining any more traction than what it already has. Here’s to a bright future. ♥️🕊
You are a great warrior in the cause for democracy and equality! Please consider writing your letters from Tuesday to Saturday (reporting on Monday to Friday). This way you would be able to take 2 days off, which you deserve. We really don’t want you to burn out.
Please take tomorrow too. You deserve the break. We need you. Bowing in gratitude to you and the gifts of insight and clarity that you give us daily. Blessings.
I read LFAA when it posted last night, and came back this morning (my ritual coffee and community) to read other comments. I am glad you took the night off, and would heartily join in the support for taking tonight off as well.
LFAA community, thanks for being here. It is my fervent hope that we will get through the multi-faceted "this" that we are experiencing, and regain some sort of equilibrium.
I agree. Heather, please consider taking one more day off to regroup. This year's arrangement of Xmas on a Saturday is great. Today, Sunday, really does feel like a day of rest. You have probably awakened to a fresh layer of white. Put on those snow shoes. Clear your lungs and brain. And then take a nap this afternoon.
I join the chorus of appreciation for what and how you write.
Thank you! You are the last thing I read in the evening, or the first one with the first cup of coffee in the morning. Your letters are a very important part of the day,and have taught this foreigner so much… please get some rest!
I always feel glad when you write that you have taken or are taking a break. Your steadfastness in producing Letters from an American has to take quite a toll but, for what it's worth, they make a difference to me. Thank you for continuing to think and write.
Let the world turn without you tomorrow, too. Your newsletter has become so important to me, and by extension, you are important to me. Please take care of yourself and have a restful, lovely holiday. Monday will be here soon enough.
Donna is right! Finish this weekend in peace. We can wait until Monday and you probably still need another day to recover from the semester
I agree with Donna. Please give yourself the gift of another night off. You've more than earned it.
You are a gift to every reader here. Thank you for your exceptional articles that give us perspective and reliable information.
Peace be with you all, my new group of good friends. And thank you, Heather, for bringing and keeping us all together.
It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be part of such a group. Merry Christmas, all!
Good morning, Jim. I love how you describe yourself as a "post-paycheck activist.'
Amen!
Merry Christmas. Democracy is in peril, but we are not dead yet. Trump is the virus, and you are the vaccine. Keep Vaxing Him.
Yes! He needs to be eradicated!
Yes! He needs to be eradicated!
Everything worth saying is worth saying twice
Heather Cox Richardson, you are a jewel. A restful holiday to you, Buddy, and family.
Thank you is so inadequate for your almost daily letter. I read it before my glasses are even fully on in the morning knowing there will be all matters of importance clearly laid out and fully considered. I have learned so much! I refer to you as a national treasure.
Reading the comments here so far has brought a bright light into a difficult day. Thank you all for your positivity and astute comments, and your generosity and compassion toward each other.
Thanks to you also, Dr. Richardson. You've been a voice of hope, logic and light during trying times - a constant drum beat of sanity. May the peace of the season shine on you and may your rest today fortify you.
Why was this a difficult day? After xmas dinner in the garage last year with one child - distanced and masked and sanitized as much as possible - I hoped for something more normal this year. I hoped to see both kids/families in person. But no - COVID intrudes again with daughter finding out today she's COVID positive. Hopefully, it's one of the false positives inherent with the rapid test but in the meantime, we all quarantine. Which meant that son and daughter-in-law and granddaughter, en-route when the news arrived, were subjected to the well-ventilated garage for gifts and a nosh. No hugs. Their overnight stay was aborted. Lost time with family; much grief and fear for daughter. Fear for myself - daughter was here yesterday. Can't wait for this crappy pandemic to be over and feeling grateful for vaccines which will offer protection from the worst of the virus.
hope you are okay, hope dtr is okay. I will carry the faith for your family. Peace to your home.
Thank you, Ivy. Hoping it was a false positive. Your concern is much appreciated.
We share together. Peace, love and good health to you, your daughter and the whole family.
Kathe, this sounds really hard, and I'm glad that you shared this with us as you experienced the "bright light" from the community. May you and all in your family be well very soon. Blessings.
Thank you, Chaplain Terry. Not sure how this will play out for any of us yet. Know it was probably inevitable that the pandemic would directly touch our lives but it could have picked a better day!
Indeed! There have been many times in my 76 years when the Universe's timing is completely out of alignment with my desires!!! What's so amazing is that looking back, often the timing was just right! And yet in the moment, it still s**ks! Holding and honoring both the feelings that are so difficult and the truth that there is good in any situation because there is good in each of us - may be the most difficult challenge of our lives.....and the most rewarding as we get better at it!
Sometimes, I just let myself cry about all of this.
Wishing you all good health and peace.
Tears are cathartic and cleansing for sure. Been a lot of them here yesterday and today but I’ve come out of panic mode as a result. Phew!
🙏🏼💜
I’m so sorry you’re in that situation. Holding you in my heart, and hoping for the best outcome possible.
Thank you Ally. Life sure can throw some zingers. Peace to you.
Peace ☮️ and love 💟—take care.
Thank you, Linda. Just spent 30 minutes listening to music that inspires me and feel more peaceful and loving.
Music is medicine—one of our fellow subscribers posted a link to Joni Mitchell’s “River” Christmas song (50th anniversary with a beautiful animated video). Now I have an earworm tune that has been a sweet distraction from the world, at least for today. Keep singing 🎶🎶
Best wishes from the other coast. Hope her case is mild. What a disappointing day for you. The up and down aspect of this virus is exhausting. But better days are ahead.
Thinking of you and your family, Kathe. Sending light, peace and strength your way and may that false positive be your gift of the season.
Kathe, my thoughts are with you as you navigate the next few days waiting to know everyone, including yourself, is okay. Yes, this damn Covid continues to try us all.
It was exhausting before all this because we have unvaccinated family members, including a too-young-for-it granddaughter. Working out safety logistics for the occasional visit is crazy. I actively resist getting resentful.
Keeping you and your beloved family in my thoughts for better days and times (and health!)
Huge hugs❤
May all be well. This, too, shall pass
Oh so sorry!!!!
Not the present I expected this season . . .
Sending good thoughts your way. Hope it was a false positive or if it is a real positive, that all cases are very mild.
Thank you for your intrepid, persistent and insightful work. Merry Christmas!
A peaceful night and restful holiday. Your tracing of history and resulting insights are invaluable to all of us, it seems, but I join with others to say, take care of yourself, and do the things you love to do to refresh yourself. A Merry Christmas to your Maine family from Vermont.
Merry Christmas, Professor. I am so grateful for your diligence to help us understand (myself especially) just what the heck’s going in daily politics and couching mortal blows to our democracy with a liberal dose of historical context. You’ve kept me interested in my community and in raising awareness about action we, the people, need to take in order to keep authoritarianism from gaining any more traction than what it already has. Here’s to a bright future. ♥️🕊
You are a great warrior in the cause for democracy and equality! Please consider writing your letters from Tuesday to Saturday (reporting on Monday to Friday). This way you would be able to take 2 days off, which you deserve. We really don’t want you to burn out.
Please take tomorrow too. You deserve the break. We need you. Bowing in gratitude to you and the gifts of insight and clarity that you give us daily. Blessings.
I read LFAA when it posted last night, and came back this morning (my ritual coffee and community) to read other comments. I am glad you took the night off, and would heartily join in the support for taking tonight off as well.
LFAA community, thanks for being here. It is my fervent hope that we will get through the multi-faceted "this" that we are experiencing, and regain some sort of equilibrium.
I agree. Heather, please consider taking one more day off to regroup. This year's arrangement of Xmas on a Saturday is great. Today, Sunday, really does feel like a day of rest. You have probably awakened to a fresh layer of white. Put on those snow shoes. Clear your lungs and brain. And then take a nap this afternoon.
I join the chorus of appreciation for what and how you write.
Thank you! You are the last thing I read in the evening, or the first one with the first cup of coffee in the morning. Your letters are a very important part of the day,and have taught this foreigner so much… please get some rest!