The Calm After the Storm

I am going to write some words here, because I think some calm, some sense of peace, has returned or is returning to my brain, my heart, my soul, although there is a great deal of trepidation about what the future might bring. And because I need to. I just need to.

Perhaps something we all need to remember is that our government is built on all governmental entities working together to accomplish things, right or wrong. Perhaps we need to remember that our government has become increasingly less adept at that – my attempt to bring some reason to our thinking means I will not point fingers, but I think each side could have been a better at trying to make peace, make legislation, take care of our country and its people.

I get why the vote went the way it did. I get that few were satisfied with the candidates offered. I get that change is needed, that the little guy is feeling ignored, left out, abused. I’m right there with you. I’m just not convinced that this is the answer – but then again, I get that too many of us felt neither was really the answer, so we made a choice – good, bad, or indifferent.

For me, it has nothing to do with being conservative or liberal, with being Republican or Democrat, although obviously I do have my leanings. It has to do with expecting our governing officials to act with honor, to recognize that all actions cause reactions. It has to do with recognizing that it takes two to tango, so what happens is rarely ever the fault of one person, one party, but the responsibility of all of those people who make decisions together, good, bad, or indifferent.

One person does not make decisions about funding for agencies, embassies, the military, the elderly, education, policing. It takes a Congress. What happens to each of those entities is the result of the decisions of that Congress. That Congress is made up of humans, humans with frailties, weaknesses, strengths – imperfect humans. Humans that can be swayed by too many temptations. Unfortunately, there are many temptations.

What is done is done, and we must all live with it. Let’s hope that we do not go backward, that we go forward, preserving rights for ALL people, regardless of color, nationality, or beliefs. We are a nation built by immigrants, by pioneers, by forward-looking people. Let’s hope we can get back to that.

Let’s hope our elected officials have colors they have not shown us – colors that will make life better for ALL of us, not just the 1%. Let’s hope.

Now I’m going to go answer the emails that are important to me, then I will get a loaf of bread started, and then I will do some painting. While I pray we are wise enough to preserve our friendships, despite our differences.