The Trump presidency divided my family.
But Im getting ahead of myself.
My mother was a Reagan Republican and had voted along party lines since 1980.
We fought every time we talked.
Furthermore, I argued, he did not even embody conservative values.
He twisted them into grotesque manipulations of what had been reasonably sound policy.
I pleaded with her not to vote for him.
In the wake of his election, her choice took on the weight of a betrayal.
The more egregious Trumps violation of social norms, the harder she dug her heels in.
In Northern Idaho, her political views went largely unchallenged.
It was her excursions into Eastern Washington that afforded her the opportunity to proselytize and be heard.
Having earned respect with her poker skills, she changed peoples minds.
We stopped talking about everything except cursory questions about my life and detailed reports about her current ailments.
I longed for a return to our political discourse.
Then Jan. 6, 2021, shook the foundation of her political fortress.
The damage was considerable and lasting.
I wasnt with my mother for the insurrections explosive violence that day.
But our family has always been patriotic.
My father served in Gen. MacArthurs honor guard during the Korean War.
We flew the flag, sang the anthem and respected servicemen and women.
The sadness that surrounded her settled in like a dense fog.
As for me, I couldnt even muster an I told you so.
Sixteen months later, I was having dinner with my mother and some Trump news flashed on the screen.
She shook her head in mild disgust.
I hadnt planned what happened next, although I had fantasized about this intervention countless times.
Taking a deep breath, I gathered my courage and started talking.
She started to speak, but I raised a finger, pleading with her to hear me out.
At 92, she was still larger than life and a commanding presence.
She did not need to call for the attention of those gathered.
At her first syllable, heads turned and phones were silenced.
She would hold the room until she decided not to.
Before saying our traditional grace, she stood up, and the room came to attention.
Looking around the table, she did not falter.
I made a horrible mistake voting for Trump.
Had I known then what I know now, I never would have voted for him.
I hope you will forgive me.
And it was done.
We hugged and I whispered my thank you as we embraced.
Lets eat, she said.
And we began, Bless us our Lord and these Thy gifts … Trumps recent conviction on 34 felony counts affirmed that her divorce from MAGA and Trump was the right choice.
My childrens wounds have started to heal.
They have forgiven her, and through them, my grandchildren will as well.
Thats the real takeaway, the kernel of truth I hope will grow and thrive.
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