In Search of Something Nice to Say

   Mother looked up at me. "Son, it's been way too long since you said anything nice about Donald Trump," she said.

   I told her I just didn't have anything to say -- nice, that is.

   "You need to try," she said. "You need to love everyone in this world, and that would include the Donald. I just don't know how else you are going to show any love for him if you can't figure out something nice to say."

   "How about if I just said I loved him?" I asked.

   "That's a start," she said. "But if you say something positive about him, that might be even better. People who love others say nice things about them."

   "Let's see. He did give a good Christmas message, from what I hear," I replied. "And, I love Christmas messages."

   "He always gives good talks, doesn't he?" Mom said.

   "Hey, that's cheating," I said. "You're taking away good things I could say by beating me to them."

   "And, he presents himself in such a way, that a lot of Christian leaders back him. So, there must be something there," she said. 

   "What do you think about the way he treats people at the border?" I asked.

   She ignored my question.

   "Well," I said. "The economy might still be doing pretty good. And, he does seem to be a fan of Israel. Now, on climate change . . ."

   She gave me another mean look, and I knew she was going to tell me it was my bedtime.