Shutting Down

Shutting down happens often in our lives...

Writers block and the mind turns off, fingers poised above the keyboard, hovering, waiting.

Internet wireless turns off in the middle of My Little Pony, resulting in shrieks, even though this is the 100th time they've seen that particular episode.

My tongue, my words, my mind shut down at any attempt to have a conversation with any adult that doesn't involve the words poop, cutie-pie, kisses, and sleep.

But now, now we have another shut down, a big one: the government.

I'm grateful our President has come to the aid of military families: we will receive our paychecks. My husband continues to go to work every day for the Navy, and we won't be receiving IOU's from the government. An IOU like my sisters and I used to write on scraps of paper when we 'borrowed' a left-over piece of Halloween candy or a favorite colored pencil.

IOU Sis for eating your last sucker.

While members of congress don't have to worry about their finances this week other federal workers will go without pay.

And doors will be closed. One shutdown leading to the shutdown of many others: parks, the National Zoo, museums, offices, federal loans...

But one thing won't shut down: the voice of the American people. Our voice can conquer this shutdown. Make a change. Open up.