Thoughts from a (sad) mom
Today was, for me, a dark day – and a far different one than I had expected.
For weeks now I’ve been playing out a scene in my head: After the election I would look into Zoe and Avery’s eyes and proudly say, “We did it – we elected the first female president.” I was so looking forward to being able to say to the girls that they could grow up to be anything they wanted to be and for it to be true. I was so looking forward to celebrating with them and for having them be able to share this historic moment with their daughters someday.
I wasn’t expecting this heartbreaking result – I didn’t expect so many people to vote for a bully, a person filled with so much hate and anger against women, minorities, and other groups. And I didn’t expect to feel so hurt, powerless and broken afterwards.
Someday soon, I’m sure, I will feel hopeful again. Today’s not that day. But a few things did help me get through: connecting with a number of loving family members and friends (all of whom are as shell-shocked and upset as I am), thinking of all I have to be thankful for, and holding my girls close. Last night, in fact, just as the tide was turning and the numbers began looking very bleak for Hillary, Avery asked me to climb beside her in bed. I lay next to her with her head nestled into my chest, and as she fell asleep and I listened to her deep breaths, I thought, “This is what matters.”
May tomorrow be brighter.
-M