1. Truth: I’m in shock, still. It’s not that I am surprised by the outcome of the presidential election. It’s not that kind of shock. What I feel is the kind you experience after a trauma, something akin to being in a car wreck or getting a cancer diagnosis. It feels a lot like the beginning of COVID, in those initial days of the quarantine when everything first shut down and we didn’t really know what was going to happen, how many we were going to lose, when or how it might end — if ever. I feel that same terror of those early days, that same urge to stock up on toilet paper and stay far away from people. At times I feel helpless, hopeless. In these moments, it’s extremely difficult to keep going, to not shut down and give up.

2. Truth: I’m disappointed in the process, in people. Just one personal example: our across the street neighbors have rented here for about six years with their two kids and four dogs, (renting because even though they both work, they can’t afford to purchase a house), and have up to recently we’ve considered them really good neighbors. The wife and I have each other’s numbers and text from time to time. She tells her kids, one in junior high and one in high school, that if they are home and their dad is gone and she’s at work (she’s a caregiver at an assisted living facility) and anything happens, if they need help or a safe place, to come to our house. This past summer when we went to Oregon, we hired their son to mow our lawn (we knew he’d do a good job because his dad keeps their yard so nice), even loaned them a key to the house just in case. When we got back, along with the money we’d promised we brought some cool fossils we’d found for him on the beach and gave his parents a gift certificate for groceries because we knew they’d helped take care of things, had kept an eye on our house for us while we were away. On the morning after the election, I looked across the street at their house, and this is what I saw.  

When they first moved in, we had a yard sign up that I got the first time DT got elected, so our beliefs and values are no secret to them. That sign got worn down by the sun and weather and essentially crumbled in my hands one day when I went to adjust it. I hadn’t been in a big hurry to replace it. After much thought about how to respond to what felt like a very personal message, considering this was the view out my front window, I bought a new flag — and made sure it is in clear sight of the neighbors. 

3. Truth: The only way forward is to take care of ourselves and each other. A prophecy from Hopi Elders in June 2000 offers this call to action:

Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?

Know your garden.
It is time to speak your truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for your leader.

…

The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word “struggle” from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

Howard Zinn also offers advice on how to do this in his response to the question, “You ask how I manage to stay involved and remain seemingly happy and adjusted to this awful world where the efforts of caring people pale in comparison to those who have power?”

One (or more) wish(es): May we stay tender and strong. May we maintain our sense of humor and allow for joy. May we keep our hearts open. May we act from love. May we protect those in need of help from whatever harm comes their way. May we continue to love our neighbors, no matter how hard they make it. May we maintain our sanity in the face of madness, and offer our wisdom and compassion to a world that needs more of both. May we ease suffering — in ourselves and in the world. May we never ever give up.