I Need a Safe Space

I decided that I really need a safe space. Hey, don’t laugh. I am serious. After all, if people that are less than half my age can’t handle life and adversity without a peaceful time out then why is my achy body and spirit expected to tough it out? I want-no, I demand-my safe space. Of course, it must have air conditioning and good television reception.

It may sound funny but maybe these almost kids are on to something. Imagine it. If you don’t like what your boss or your child or your spouse says you get to retreat to a safe place to nurture your bruised spirit. My son, who is just a couple of years beyond college, has a strong opinion on safe spaces. He believes that safe spaces are for those that are in physical harms way, not those whose opinions and ideas have been challenged. He touts the idea that college is all about expanding horizons and some of those even include coming face to face with people who do not believe as you do or react as you would have them react. He asserts that safe spaces are the very antithesis of what college is supposed to be about.

All I know is this, I didn’t have any safe space in college. I did take a Russian class one time that made me wish that I had a safe space but I was out of luck. I did what most college students did back then. I cried a little (hey, he was a really mean Russian Professor) and then I proceeded to drop his class. But, I did so without the benefit of a safe space.

But hey, that was then, when the world was perfect. And, this is now, when young people are dealing with harsh realities that never before existed. This election season has me in a state of unrest and I really don’t like much of what is going on in the world. I know that I do not have anything near as pressing as attending class and/or beer bust but I do believe that I am sufficiently stressed and my psyche is fragile enough that I need a safe space. I need a place where people cannot disagree with me and , though I must not accept the differences of those around me, they must accept mine. My husband would say that pretty much describes our living room. I am hurt by his inability to see things my way. Now I really need a safe space and it really must have a recliner. Let the college students sit on the floor kum ba yah style. After all, age should have its privilege.