3.5.6.One.

3 marriages. 5 military deferments. 6 bankruptcies. One nation.

Some numbers apply to individuals. One number applies to all of us. The reality right now is that the thing we are having a hard time figuring out is — what does it mean to be one nation? Perhaps it is not an algebra question but a geometry question.

There are an array of shapes — from triangles to pentagons — all different, with capacity for being filled with lively color, defining space, conveying energy.

Many times, those shapes can come together — not perfectly like puzzle pieces, but edges can meet edges and build something greater than the whole. There can be gaps, but farther along the edge a parallel line can be found and the greater shape extended. It is imperfect, it is sloppy, but the shape can grow.

I look forward in these coming days for all of us to take pride in our shapes, our color, our uniqueness. But to also look for parallel lines in other shapes in order to find some commonality, some way to build on the whole. Many times, edge will meet a corner, a point — with no hope of resolution. But with patience,, with rotating one’s position just a bit, a parallel lines can be found.