As a mother to two Autistic kiddos - it was heartfelt to see Gus on the national stage. He’s amazing! I can’t help but think of his mother and how the hate coming in must feel to her. I hope she’s absorbing all the love. Here’s some love from us - We support Gus. 🤍
I had not heard the term “neurodivergent” until now. Regardless, the trashing of a young man’s enthusiasm and pride in his father seems very much “off” - especially from those proclaiming to support positive family values.
Spot on Julie! I lived a good third of my life in NE (Lincoln). I am a graduate of Iowa State so the move to Lincoln was very hard for me to swallow! But my children spent most of their formative years there and I found friends and neighbors to be wonderfully supportive to all of us as we navigated some rough personal times. I worked with many “folks” from Western NE. Through them I learned what it was like to grow up in fly over country. They must, because of the great distance they are from even their neighbors, let alone any sizeable cities, be independent, resourceful and resilient! At that time, the NE Huskers, under the direction of (Coach) Dr. Tom Osborne were consistently on the national stage. Their strength was their walk-on program. Year after year, they had boys from places like Tim Wlaz’ home town where their school played 6 man football, because there were not enough students to flesh out an eleven man squad. Those kids were unbelievably tough because they were on the field playing both offense and defense for nearly every game! Also, they were smart! They could learn whatever Dr. Tom taught them because they were used to learning and doing the many jobs they were assigned on their high school teams as well as on their family ranches. Family values were ingrained in those kids, from birth! One does not survive on the sandhills without love and support from family and neighbors. The environment is harsh and unforgiving.
When Tim moved to Mankato,MN, he relocated to another of my ‘home’ states. I spent summers in Northern MN my entire life. If you are familiar with Garrison Keillor’s “Tales from Lake Wobegon”, you know it is a place “where the women are strong, the children are above average, and all the men are good looking.” Though Keillor penned that line somewhat in jest, Gwen Walz seems to genuinely fit the bill! I say all this to emphasize that though the rest of the country might like the Walz family for their “folksiness” in a sea of Ivy League sophisticates,do not underestimate them. They have learned to survive and thrive in some of the harshest conditions and as we all can imagine, politics on the national scale will take the innate strength they have developed over the years! The opposition’s ridiculous comments about Gus are just the beginning I’m sure. Small, stupid comments like those will just serve to make the commenters look smaller and weaker and emphasize the classy people the Walz clan is! From what I have learned of Kamala Harris she too exudes strength of character and family values. What a really special ticket Kamala and Tim are for us. I cheer them on now and will be thrilled when they become our next President and Vice President. Hope and joy will lead our whole nation toward a bright future!
It’s hard to imagine people having and expressing that kind of cruelty. We should all be willing to show the world our love, like Gus. My shirt will say, “I’m voting for Gus’s dad!”
I loved your comments and was about to share when I got to the "god reference" from the Pledge of Allegiance. Why is it so difficult to respect separation of church and state?! These comments are not necessary and should be avoided. Seemingly mindless repetition of comments like "God bless America..." at the end of nearly all political speeches is inappropriate, and potentially as offensive to some as other exclusive rhetoric.
As a former Minnesotan (raised in the congressional district Walz represented) I had some concerns since he isn't the traditional, highly polished VP candidate. ~Give Kamala credit (with a nudge from Pelosi) in recognizing Walz brings what we needed - Common sense, humanity, love and HEART. America has had plenty of Ivy Leaguers, and financially successful people - but the party (and country) need Tim, Gwen, Hope and Gus. Talk about "family values"!! Team Gus all the way!
As a mother to two Autistic kiddos - it was heartfelt to see Gus on the national stage. He’s amazing! I can’t help but think of his mother and how the hate coming in must feel to her. I hope she’s absorbing all the love. Here’s some love from us - We support Gus. 🤍
Thanks for all you do, Emily.
Julie,
Thanks, Julie. Well said.
I am with Gus!
Gus is a wonderful person and he has a terrific family ❤️❤️❤️
I am on Team Gus!!
Beautifully captured.
Thank you.
I had not heard the term “neurodivergent” until now. Regardless, the trashing of a young man’s enthusiasm and pride in his father seems very much “off” - especially from those proclaiming to support positive family values.
Indeed!
These lines: "I’ve asked myself: How low will they go? Only to find the sludge of excrement has no end..."
Simply brilliant and sadly so true.
Fingers crossed a big flush is coming.
Spot on Julie! I lived a good third of my life in NE (Lincoln). I am a graduate of Iowa State so the move to Lincoln was very hard for me to swallow! But my children spent most of their formative years there and I found friends and neighbors to be wonderfully supportive to all of us as we navigated some rough personal times. I worked with many “folks” from Western NE. Through them I learned what it was like to grow up in fly over country. They must, because of the great distance they are from even their neighbors, let alone any sizeable cities, be independent, resourceful and resilient! At that time, the NE Huskers, under the direction of (Coach) Dr. Tom Osborne were consistently on the national stage. Their strength was their walk-on program. Year after year, they had boys from places like Tim Wlaz’ home town where their school played 6 man football, because there were not enough students to flesh out an eleven man squad. Those kids were unbelievably tough because they were on the field playing both offense and defense for nearly every game! Also, they were smart! They could learn whatever Dr. Tom taught them because they were used to learning and doing the many jobs they were assigned on their high school teams as well as on their family ranches. Family values were ingrained in those kids, from birth! One does not survive on the sandhills without love and support from family and neighbors. The environment is harsh and unforgiving.
When Tim moved to Mankato,MN, he relocated to another of my ‘home’ states. I spent summers in Northern MN my entire life. If you are familiar with Garrison Keillor’s “Tales from Lake Wobegon”, you know it is a place “where the women are strong, the children are above average, and all the men are good looking.” Though Keillor penned that line somewhat in jest, Gwen Walz seems to genuinely fit the bill! I say all this to emphasize that though the rest of the country might like the Walz family for their “folksiness” in a sea of Ivy League sophisticates,do not underestimate them. They have learned to survive and thrive in some of the harshest conditions and as we all can imagine, politics on the national scale will take the innate strength they have developed over the years! The opposition’s ridiculous comments about Gus are just the beginning I’m sure. Small, stupid comments like those will just serve to make the commenters look smaller and weaker and emphasize the classy people the Walz clan is! From what I have learned of Kamala Harris she too exudes strength of character and family values. What a really special ticket Kamala and Tim are for us. I cheer them on now and will be thrilled when they become our next President and Vice President. Hope and joy will lead our whole nation toward a bright future!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments.
Great Line about the sewer, rats, and what followed!
It’s hard to imagine people having and expressing that kind of cruelty. We should all be willing to show the world our love, like Gus. My shirt will say, “I’m voting for Gus’s dad!”
I loved your comments and was about to share when I got to the "god reference" from the Pledge of Allegiance. Why is it so difficult to respect separation of church and state?! These comments are not necessary and should be avoided. Seemingly mindless repetition of comments like "God bless America..." at the end of nearly all political speeches is inappropriate, and potentially as offensive to some as other exclusive rhetoric.
The pledge has gone through a number of iterations. I understand this is the contemporary version. But your point is well-taken.
As a former Minnesotan (raised in the congressional district Walz represented) I had some concerns since he isn't the traditional, highly polished VP candidate. ~Give Kamala credit (with a nudge from Pelosi) in recognizing Walz brings what we needed - Common sense, humanity, love and HEART. America has had plenty of Ivy Leaguers, and financially successful people - but the party (and country) need Tim, Gwen, Hope and Gus. Talk about "family values"!! Team Gus all the way!
And, you know what? I loved the small gestures his sister made to support Gus. What a family.
Yes. They are such a model for us all.
Thank you, Julie. Gus is my hero. His love for his dad and his family is his super power. I am proud to be a member of Team Gus ❤️