A time to reflect on what’s important

I am old (at least my friends say I'm old as dirt). Perhaps it's time to reflect.

I reflect when another country tried to impose its will on other countries and started World War II. So now we have another country trying to impose its will on Ukraine.

I reflect on a religion that imposes half of its population to second-class citizenship.

I reflect on an attempt to divide our country by hyphenation. We are all Americans first, regardless where our relatives came from or where we were born.

I reflect upon when our political parties used to put our country first, not their party.

I reflect that if I had a date and she chose to text or answer her cellphone I would say goodbye as I would expect her to do the same to me.

I reflect that good honest discussion and criticism would not be given other names such as racism, bigotry, etc.

I reflect on our democracy where the majority of citizens exercise their rights and respect the rights of minorities. Where minorities have the same opportunities as everyone else, no more or no less.

Finally, I reflect on just seeing a young man graduate from high school and am saddened by the death of a very good friend.

I reflect. It's the time.

Larry C. Aspleaf

Cedar Rapids