Published On: Mon, Jan 2nd, 2012

Happy New Year

By: Dr. Mike Gora

“It was the best of times and the worst of times.” As usual the opening line of the classic novel by Charles Dickens, “A Tale of Two Cities,” remains applicable to every year, all people, and all times.

We are well. Our moms, both in their 90s, are now well, although my mother-in-law had another fall, more broken bones, and another stay at rehab.  My mother complains about living too long but remains as healthy as a horse.

On the other hand, son Matt, 42, has developed a painful, permanent and debilitating disease of the nervous system and our strong, brave son, husband and dad must fight the battle of his life and remain a hero in the eyes of his two little girls against odds.  He is lucky to have a strong, loyal, intelligent and successful wife.

My daughter and her husband, who pursue careers in teaching and computer related fields, respectively, are on the verge of having a second child in high school for one year, before sending their oldest, a football player, off to college; both all “A” students.

Younger son and his wife expertly raise their almost 4 and 5 year old cuties and prepare to move into a new home in a Chicago suburb.  Bonnie and I are lucky to have two of the three families with us for this holiday season. As I type, four year old Jack has given me his delicious first hug of the early morning.

We have all been tested in 2011, and we are passing the test.  Our great country has its own test to face in 2012, the general election. My family members are political animals, but not entirely of the same herd.  We range from right to left, Democrats to Republicans, Obama supporters to detractors.

We discuss politics, but not all the time. We are always civil to one another regarding our political views, but none of us will ever be persuaded to the other‘s side just because we are a family.

In the biggest and most important way all of us citizens of the United States of America are members of a family as well.  We all want the best for our country, but often disagree on the path to success.

I suggest to you that in the year 2012 we all pull together in our common cause by supporting our respective candidates, with respect for the efforts of the opposing candidates.  We can offer up our ideas for a better nation, and compare our ideas and our candidate’s ideas without denigrating the other.

In many if not all cases the best path is not owned by either political party or its candidates, but an amalgamation of the best ideas of both Parties and all candidates.  It is not be necessary to call the opposing inflammatory names, or compare them to history’s most devilish demons to make our side’s case.  Hold whatever values you wish without finding it necessary to disregard the values of other fellow citizens.

We can and will get through the political year ahead of us, but we will all be better for it if we do it with respect for our fellow citizens whatever their Party, position religion or race.

Let’s make 2012 the best of times.

Michael H. Gora has been certified by the Board of Specialization of The Florida Bar as a specialist in family and matrimonial law, and is a partner with Shapiro Blasi Wasserman & Gora P.A. in Boca Raton.  Mr. Gora may be reached by e-mail at mhgora@sbwlawfirm.com.and (561) 477-7800.
 

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