So, I didn't vote for Donald Trump yesterday. You may have, and if so, congrats- you elected the next President of the United States. I voted for President Obama in both 2008 and 2012, which means I have never dealt with my candidate losing the election. Frankly, it stings. As a wise man named Forrest Gump once said, "that's all I have to say about that."
Now, it's onward and upward.
Today, in an effort to provide therapy to my soul, and find some silver lining to this election outcome, I'm making a list of things that make America wonderful. We have so much to be thankful for, including waking up this morning in the good ol' U S of A, and that won't change anytime soon.
Here it goes:
1. Ice cream. I'm thankful for ice cream. When I sit on my back porch with an ice cream cone in my hand, only good memories can happen. Give me cake batter with extra sprinkles, I'll give you a heck of a grin. Thank you America, for your delicious ice cream.
2. Expression. Yes, I may have unfollowed 87 people on my Facebook newsfeed last night alone, but I'm so thankful we have the right to express our views in this country without being jailed, beaten, or shot. We take it for granted that as Americans, we can say almost anything on our minds, and it's always going to be ok. We shouldn't take that for granted.
3. Kindness. There are so many good people in this country of ours. Yesterday, as I strolled my daughter into the voting center, I came upon a flight of stairs leading down to the booths. Another woman helped me pick up the other wheel of the stroller so I could get down the stairs to vote without circling to the other side of the building. She was a total stranger. Kindness.
4. Snuggles. We are a nation that encourages love and affection. I'm thankful for hugs and cuddles. I'm thankful for eskimo kisses. I'm thankful that it's okay to be lovey dovey in our country and not seem like an absolute wacko. Sometimes a human embrace can make the difference in a day, or even a life. I'm thankful we hug.
5. Coffee and pastries. Most mornings, my daughter and I enjoy breakfast in our kitchen. On Fridays, we celebrate by heading to the local coffee shop for coffee and "muttins", as she calls them. This morning was an exception- we needed a pick me up. I'm thankful for caffeine and extra blueberries in my muttin this morning.
6. Opportunity. Maybe that glass ceiling wasn't shattered last night. Maybe we won't be shattering glass ceilings in our country for several more years. But whether it's a Republican or Democrat that leads the way, we will overcome the gender gap in our country soon; it's only a matter of when. And it may be you, me, my daughter, or yours who shatters that ceiling. I can't wait to see.
7. Goodness. The Bible tells us, "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we shall reap, if we do not lose heart." Hillary Clinton delivered this verse from Galations, during her concession speech this morning, and the timing couldn't have been more perfect. If we continue to make goodness the priority of our nation, we will come out on top.
Cheers to democracy, and cheers to keeping our spirits lifted,
Emily