Even though it's late and I'm tired, I can tell that I won't be able to sleep. While I usually enjoy the quiet of night, today I prefer the noise of day. It helps me to forget. Once the world grows still, I am alone with my thoughts and the tears that I have been holding back bubble to the surface.
I am so very sad. Everything feels surreal. How, oh how, did this happen? While normally proud to be American, today I feel ashamed. How did we elect as President of our nation a man who ran on a platform of hatred, division, racism, misogyny, bigotry, arrogance, and utter moral corruption? What message does it send to my daughters that instead of a woman, we elected a man who brazenly denigrates women as sex objects? I was no great fan of Hillary, but I am appalled that we as a nation would sink to the level of Trump. I think the hardest part is that I felt so sure that it would never happen. I had so much faith that we as a people would take a stand and say No, Mr. Trump, no. You have crossed a fundamental line of human decency, and we will not be moved.
For the first time, I feel like I have lost faith in humanity.
While there is so much that I could to say, I am reserved for one single reason: my children. While my heart may groan, I long for their hearts to feel happy and secure. Through their eyes, I can still see the hope I wish to feel again.
I want my children to know that even though Donald Trump has given me no reason to respect him, I still have great respect for the office of President. I will pray for the president, really pray for him, for our nation is in great need of prayer. I will do my best to not speak negatively about things past, and give Mr. Trump a fresh start moving forward. I will seek for healing and forgiveness, and strive to reunite a fractured nation.
I also want my children to know that no matter what, our family will continue to defend what is right. We simply will not tolerate hatred, racism, and discrimination. All will be welcomed and loved, no matter their religion, color, gender, orientation, and even voting record. Women, men, and children will be valued and respected as daughters and sons of God.
In the words of Joshua, "But as for me any my house, we will serve the Lord."
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This article has helped me process how to move forward since the election: What Should We Tell the Children.
5 comments:
I feel your pain and am so concerned for your future, and your children's future. However, we need now to give the Trump administration a chance to govern at a higher level than his character or his ugly campaign words predict. Maybe the responsibility of the office will help him do better than we fear. I also believe our system of checks-and-balances ensures that one man acting alone cannot ruin everything. Regardless, it remains our obligation to assist in helping him, ourselves, and others choose the right. You quoted Joshua. The Book of Mormon scripture that keeps recurring in my mind follows:
"Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law-to do your business by the voice of the people. And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land." (Mosiah 29:26–27)
I read the news right before I headed out to teach seminary on Wednesday morning. As I was shocked and wondering "How did this happen?" and "What do we do now?" I felt an impelling feeling of needing to be faithful, to be the light on the hill and not to hide under the bushel, and mostly to be kind to everyone. I felt like now I had to really demonstrate that I am an American who cares about all people and to be one who lives by faith and not fear. I am not happy with the results, but I believe there is still much good that can be done by all. I'm grateful for the recent messages that remind us that we need to pull together.
Well written, sister mine. I've spent the last few days helping students grieve and trying to assure them that they will always have an advocate in me. I have been grateful for the healing power of music. I kissed my little bubba with tears welling in my eyes as I trudged to bed Tuesday night- but mostly because I felt like something had been taken from her without her knowledge or consent. While I continue to search for good everywhere, I hold to a prayer that in a few years time that I have never been more surprised by or wrong about someone.
thank you Kara. So so good to hear others feeling the same way.
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