This morning, somewhere in my email feed between “Breaking News: Republicans Win Senate Majority” and “Breaking News: Trump on Verge of Victory After Winning Pennsylvania” this little poem appeared.
Sylvia, Thank you for these words. I know I will read this again many times in the coming days. I need a way to overcome the numbness and sadness. Feeling a bit out of courage, but know that underneath we will go on and continue to spread love and justice.
Hi Sylvia. I have been enjoying your posts. But today I don't agree that we have much power. We have no power to keep many asylum seekers from being deported back to their s-hole countries and being killed. We have no power to keep Ukraine from being absorbed back into the Russian empire, Zalensky being arrested as a political prisoner and going the way of Navalney, and thousands of Ukranian people having died in vain. We have no power to bring back a million lives of those who died from Covid thanks to Trump's ignorance and failure to act. Obviously I'm feeling very low today and am in shock. But I have nothing positive to feel.
DId you get at chance to watch Kamala's concession speech? It was so eloquent and full of grace. In part, she said what I was trying to say, only she said it about a thousand times better.
Dear Dorrie, Believe me, I understand feeling low and shocked. I am, too. Also furious! I don't mean to suggest a Trump presidency will be without consequences, many of them terrible. But I do mean to suggest we can take heart because there are millions of us. That in itself is powerful. I think it's important to take time to grieve and rage ... and then we need to get to work. That's why I feel people like John Lewis are so inspirational. They got beaten down (in his case, literally) and then stood up and kept on going. That's what I hope we can do. Thank you for venting here -- it's important! Love, Sylvia
I was glad to read your post. I feel like I've been hit with a ton of bricks yet somehow must believe that love will prevail. Keep asking how did this happen and I keep thinking of the 1930s Germany. Thank you for your post.
I know, Sharon. I feel the same way and have the same perplexity. All I can think of is that we don't teach history very well in this country. And we absolutely do not teach critical thinking ... and so Fox News and other outlets that spread disinformation can thrive.
You’ve helped. Your thoughts and each of the raw thoughts shared in these comments have helped. Thank you, all of you.
And I was gonna stop there, but suddenly my Irish Dad’s phrase after a high school sporting event drifted in. (Now, mind you I wasn’t a player - there were NO FEMALE SPORTS at my Flint Catholic high school in the early ‘60’s. But even that truth fits here, doesn’t it?) I was a cheerleader and in tears because “we” lost an important game. He comforted me by saying, “It was a real good effort and you came in second.”
And suddenly he’s here to remind me of the Millions of Americans who voted for the vision we share.
Yes, the opposing side won, but we came in second. And those millions (and most likely many more millions who voted the other way) are still here to see what will happen. And I’m going to continue cheerleading for our vision, and I’m betting others will, too.
Sylvia, Thank you for these words. I know I will read this again many times in the coming days. I need a way to overcome the numbness and sadness. Feeling a bit out of courage, but know that underneath we will go on and continue to spread love and justice.
It's important to honor those feelings of numbness and sadness. I totally understand. And, when the time is right we will get to work! Thank you.
Hi Sylvia. I have been enjoying your posts. But today I don't agree that we have much power. We have no power to keep many asylum seekers from being deported back to their s-hole countries and being killed. We have no power to keep Ukraine from being absorbed back into the Russian empire, Zalensky being arrested as a political prisoner and going the way of Navalney, and thousands of Ukranian people having died in vain. We have no power to bring back a million lives of those who died from Covid thanks to Trump's ignorance and failure to act. Obviously I'm feeling very low today and am in shock. But I have nothing positive to feel.
Thanks for allowing me to vent and take care,
Dorrie
DId you get at chance to watch Kamala's concession speech? It was so eloquent and full of grace. In part, she said what I was trying to say, only she said it about a thousand times better.
Dear Dorrie, Believe me, I understand feeling low and shocked. I am, too. Also furious! I don't mean to suggest a Trump presidency will be without consequences, many of them terrible. But I do mean to suggest we can take heart because there are millions of us. That in itself is powerful. I think it's important to take time to grieve and rage ... and then we need to get to work. That's why I feel people like John Lewis are so inspirational. They got beaten down (in his case, literally) and then stood up and kept on going. That's what I hope we can do. Thank you for venting here -- it's important! Love, Sylvia
Thank you for your encouraging wisdom, Sylvia, as always. So glad to be in community with you for the changes we will weather and make together.
Thank you, Kharma. Hoping to get there tonight. Sending you love and support in these troubled and troubling times.
I was glad to read your post. I feel like I've been hit with a ton of bricks yet somehow must believe that love will prevail. Keep asking how did this happen and I keep thinking of the 1930s Germany. Thank you for your post.
I know, Sharon. I feel the same way and have the same perplexity. All I can think of is that we don't teach history very well in this country. And we absolutely do not teach critical thinking ... and so Fox News and other outlets that spread disinformation can thrive.
And I feel this poem in my gut. 👍🏾
Me, too. It spoke perfectly to the way I feel right now.
You’ve helped. Your thoughts and each of the raw thoughts shared in these comments have helped. Thank you, all of you.
And I was gonna stop there, but suddenly my Irish Dad’s phrase after a high school sporting event drifted in. (Now, mind you I wasn’t a player - there were NO FEMALE SPORTS at my Flint Catholic high school in the early ‘60’s. But even that truth fits here, doesn’t it?) I was a cheerleader and in tears because “we” lost an important game. He comforted me by saying, “It was a real good effort and you came in second.”
And suddenly he’s here to remind me of the Millions of Americans who voted for the vision we share.
Yes, the opposing side won, but we came in second. And those millions (and most likely many more millions who voted the other way) are still here to see what will happen. And I’m going to continue cheerleading for our vision, and I’m betting others will, too.
Thank you.
What a wise father you had! And thanks for sharing his wisdom. That helps. And it helps to remember we are in this together. We are not alone.
Sylvia, I needed this. Thank you. With love, Catherine Knowles ❤️
Thank you, Catherine. Love to you, too. -- Sylvia
Thank you Sylvia
Of course, Cathy. Sending love this morning...