February 9th, 2022
Journal entry at
My kitchen table in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

I read something very very interesting to me,

and I am going to paraphrase it,

If find yourself having to "Build up the courage" to tell someone something, whether it's good or bad something,

than maybe that person isn't the right person to be talking to in the very first place.

That resonated with me, deeply, very deeply.

The people in your tribe, the people in your circle, the people closest to you, should be or are already the people that you should just feel free to "live and let live" with day in and day out.

When this whole "new year" started, running for aldersperson was NOT on my radar, finishing the basement, getting ready for spring, cleaning the garage, demolishing the kitchen only to rebuild it back up, better and brighter than before, pick up a few new piano students, start some sunflower and holly hock seeds in my basement with a growlight in egg crates. walk with Fenway more, train for The Lakefront Discovery Run 15k, so I can finish with a better time, spend time with friends and family, etc.

In the last several weeks I have taken inventory on my personal beliefs, what I stand for, who I am an ally for and with, and more,

What is racism? Am I a racist?

What does it truly mean to be an ally to people that are LGBTQ ?

What is tif, how do you feel that it should or shouldn't be used?

How many buildings can we build and how fast can we build them?

What buildings can be built and where?

How do I feel about masks and vaccinations, and should they be mandatory?

If a giant and unstoppable and mostly deadly meteor is headed for planet Earth, how do you as an alderperson plan on stopping it?

And if you fail to do so, where can we relocate and recivilize our populuation?

And will there be wifi there?

I mean, People, this is not just me throwing my hat into the ring to see what will happen, this is not just some little position that I running for, this is not me doing something extracurricular because I don't have anything else to do because I am a bored housewife with no children to speak of.

This is me however learning more about my city, the neighbors, the problems, the possible correlating solutions, and in the end myself- learning about myself, better understanding who I am in in order so that I can better help the citizens of Wauwatosa and help move Wauwatosa forward, together, move forward together.

Anyways, that's where my thoughts are on this lovely overcast, grey and somewhat warm Wednesday afternoon in Wauwatosa.

Coming to you live from my kitchen table with a cup of hot coffee, trying to answer emails, and work hard to cross the finish line!

Remember to love one another, <3

be kind to anyone that you meet

Let love rule <3

I am going to let Lenny play us out.

Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa L. Dolan

For reference, I do not own the rights to this video or song.