Letter: Forgiveness

Dear Editor,
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The word that came to my heart tonight in the late hours, after an Easter Sunday like no other I can remember is "Forgiveness." 
The one thing that I admired most about Abraham Lincoln was that after the Civil War, he challenged the nation to not let the past dominate the future. He knew we would have to let go of vengeance in order to heal America. Two sides so invested in defeating the other, had to find a way to come back together. 

Has the CoronaVirus Pandemic become just another opportunity to divide us? I am angry about the excessive restrictions foisted upon us, but I can not let it foment a spirit of hate. Some of the powers that be will use this crisis to advance their political agendas. But we must not allow things we can not control to tear us apart. 

Will these questions vex us going forward? 
"Who can we blame? What price should we exact on those who failed? When law abiding citizens are forced into a corner, how much should they sacrifice for the benefit of others? Has fear and distrust had a greater negative impact than the virus itself?" 

When we finally get beyond this temporary shakedown of our liberties, we must not be consumed by resentment and revenge. The mental, physical, emotional, and financial tolls we pay will not be refunded. We must forgive those who meant us no harm, yet hold accountable those that used this time to expand their powers. 

May charity and peace continue to flourish after this war with the invisible enemy.

Victor Allen Dubois
Fremont MI