The Better Angels Project

One of fifty coins modified by metal artist Corey Ackelmire for her collective "Better Angels" project

Last Sunday, the day after we buried my dear and loving Grammy, I did something I don't often do - I attended church. Though I am not religious, it felt good to go and sit amongst her friends and neighbors in the small wooden church in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, where she served as a deacon and which she attended many Sundays while alive - the same church where my grandparents were married, where we celebrated their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries, where we mourned them both in funerals 5 years (to the day) apart.

The topic of the sermon was "trash talk", a reminder to be humble and not allow prejudice and fear to lead us to hate those who are different. In a not so subtle way, the pastor reminded us to work together, to put aside pride and treat one another with decency and respect despite differences in political opinion. And there are different political opinions in that town. And yet, in that small church people come together to celebrate life and mourn losses, to support one another through sickness, to share food and fellowship after a service.

In our current political situation, it is hard not to feel as though we are a nation on the brink of civil war. It is easy to fall into the mindset of 'us' vs 'them', and to hate the 'them'. But as each side digs in deeper, the divide widens, empathy and communication die, and nothing is accomplished.

My grandmother did not have a hateful bone in her body. She had only to meet someone to love them and try to help them or feed them or cheer them up. She is my better angel.
#betterangelsproject @coreyackelmire @coreyackelmiremetalwork