Yesterday and today a few lines from an old John Denver song have been going through my head. My brain seems to have selectively chosen a few lines because most of it doesn’t apply to our country on this day. The mournful tone and a few lines such as “I’m sorry things ain’t what they used to be” do for me right now.
I am sorry for our little girls because this country chose to elect a known misogynist and sexual predator. I am sorry for our little boys because he mocks those who are not healthy or 100% Caucasian. I am sorry for them in so many other ways because his hateful and not well thought out campaign promises have the power to change this country and world. We need to resist those intentions each in our own way. To paraphrase Michelle Obama, when someone goes lower, we must go higher.
He was elected by an America that I don’t know anymore. Those who voted for him and those who chose to vote for someone other than Hillary said it was ok that a person of this character and intent was elected. I understand voting on principle however the stakes were really big this time and I think the principle was to keep a person of this character out. I know there is a lot of disagreement about that. Others opinions don’t shape my outlook on life.
Be that as it may each of us of whatever political affiliation or none at all who are caring people now must figure out how to live our lives in ways that counter his proposals and views that he models about other human beings. The manner in which we do that is very individual and takes soul searching. It can be action in small ways or on a larger scale.
We must show our little boys and little girls that not everyone values hatefulness. Not everyone bullies and takes advantage of others whenever they can so that they feel better about themselves.
I am sorry. Yesterday felt like a day of mourning. Today for me feels like a day to gently begin to reflect on what we can do for our world, each other and especially our children to help them to develop kindness and a positive inner resourcefulness that will not be modeled by the leader of the free world.Working through grief over the loss of what we had is a slow process. But each of us who do not value mocking the disabled, mocking a mother about her stricken reaction in public because her son had died, and who do not want to purge those who do not look like us can figure out what to do in whatever way we feel fits us. That is how we will make America great again.
woolgatheringwithbetsy 
This has been a challenging week with two candidates that sparked strong feelings on all fronts. It has been a challenging two years, and I’m ready to move to move on. Living here in NH, it will start again in a mere 18-24 months so I need to soak up the quiet.
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18 months- you are hardy up there in more ways than one! I moved along a bit today by doing a couple hours of garden clean up and chicken enjoying. Good therapy.
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Politics is an industry up here, and it can really get to you if you let it. I fight it doing that. 🙂 You probably should have cleaned the chicken coop then you could have been shoveling you know what in more ways than one. 🙂
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Betsy, you got it exactly right. You expressed all the things I have been thinking and feeling. I cried when I heard he was elected, and I have been feeling weepy ever since. Life does go on, but oh the damage that can be done.
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I cried a little too. I am trying not to look at news and spent time yesterday ordering some books for Christmas gifts which was a nice escape. We all have to figure out how to cope for sure.
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You are so right! So good to find solace in ordering books for Christmas presents. I am still stunned. I am not sure when this will go away.
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Very well said, Betsy! May our heartbreak over this outcome spur us on with the courage to refuse to shut down. May we be willing to see all the ways that the “other”, just like me, wants to be happy, wants to be safe, wants to live a meaningful life. We I feel all the ways that the “other” deserves my respect as a fellow human being. Sending love, Laura
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Thank you for the statement that we refuse to shut down. I do also feel sorry for those who think this administration will care about them. I would wish too that my gut feelings about this situation will be proved wrong and respect for everybody will come about.
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A while ago you encouraged me… We were talking about how creating, and crafting, and finding solace in small things can be healing – maybe even on a larger scale. I am reminded of those comforting words. Not only America needs healing, but the whole world – because what happens in your country affects us all. May courage and decency prevail, I believe America is rich in those still.
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Thank you so much. I am a little teary after reading them. I tell myself that since he did not receive the majority of the people’s votes and because so many voted for a third party, that still the majority of Americans are open minded and caring. I hope so. Thank God for nature, our pets and our craft passions that give us a break from the intensity as we figure out as we figure out what to do. Thank you for reassuring me that there are those in other countries who do not equate him with all of us.
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