Thankful to be where I am

This week the country marked the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The event, in Dallas’ Dealey Plaza unsettled the whole world and most people who were alive at the time remember exactly what they were doing the minute news reached them that the president of the United States was dead.

The collective history of the world we call home and all the civilizations that have been a part of it are full of singular incidents that, for good or ill, forever changed the trajectory of society forever. Montezuma meeting Hernan Cortes on the road to the Aztec capitol, Hannibal crossing the Alps and the Battle of Waterloo are all moments in time that are now core parts of any history curriculum.

The best way to study history, of course, is to immerse yourself in it. It is not good enough to look at the events themselves but the beliefs, perspectives and circumstances of the time. That’s easier said than done since history is recorded by those who come out on top, but a healthy pinch of skepticism goes a long way. 

We’re still a long way from someone inventing a time machine and since I’ve never met anyone from the future, I’m guessing we never will, so we’re going to have to take the word of whatever records we have. 

A frequent exercise I’ve noticed in my own children’s history work is asking what historical figure you would like to meet or which event you would like to witness. It is an interesting question, that when put to thought can get the brain swirling through the factual tidbits stored away. Maybe you would like to see a major world-changing event like the fall of the Berlin Wall or meet Jackie Robinson right after his first Major League Baseball game. 

I’d have to say Ernest Hemingway in 1920s Paris. 

The other day my kids asked me if I could live in any time of history what would it be. Their answers included ancient Rome, samurai-era Japan and 1940s America. All very dangerous sounding answers. I’ll opt for a less exciting period with a higher life expectancy. 

I’m happy where I am right now. Despite the turmoil around the world, discord at home and a seeming disconnect among people, we are living in the greatest time of human history. Food and medicine are widely available, digital advancement has connected every corner of the globe and even though battles rage in select places and threats of violence always loom, we’re living in unprecedented times of peace (there hasn’t been a world war since the 40s). 

Yes, there is still a lot of work to be done and a lot of problems to solve. But we, as human beings, have never been more capable of solving our problems, if we just try.   

Plus, all the people I love are alive now, so why would I want to go anywhere else?

That’s something to be thankful for.

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