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Personal Note: So Many Words To Describe How I'm Feeling


            I keep thinking I should be working on other things, but I seem to need to process this. It's a momentous occasion. One friend used the word flabbergasted. One word that comes to mind for me is "stunned." I did not want Mr. Trump to win. I didn't want Mrs. Clint to win even more. I knew it was possible for either. Another word is "relieved." I'm not relieved that he won, but that she lost.  I have to admit, I was surprised that Pennsylvania, Florida and Washington (state) went in Mr. Trump's direction. I'm not surprised by most of the rest, except, perhaps, New Mexico.
           I'm also relieved because the election showed me that there are more sensible, practical people in our country than I gave it credit for having. I know that Liberals are already talking about how hateful the country is going to be come, but I don't think the vote represents anger and hatefulness. I think and I hope, it represents sanity.
           I can't say that I trust that Mr. Trump is even try to do half of what he's promised. I'm not sure I want him to do some of what he promised, but there are things I believe can happen now. We can heal. We can restore. We can stop being lab rats for social "mad scientists."
           Another word that describes how I feel is "afraid." I am very afraid not of what Mr. Trump will do (though there may be reason to feel concern about that)  but of what people will do. I am concerned that some will turn to violence. Already this morning, I've heard one person speak positively of the notion of a civil war or of an assassination - someone I would not have expected to hate so much. I am also concerned that the people who are looking to Mr. Trump for a return to sanity and decency in this country will now sit back and "let" Mr. Trump "fix" things.
           To those hate-filled people who are looking to violence to solve their problems: I forgive you, and I pray for you. If this country is going to be filled with violence, you will have to participate in it, and my heart grieves that you would do so. It grieves that you would even accept it as a necessary thing. To those who are think you can relax, that everything is going to be OK because the government is going to "do the right thing: Wake up! The whole point of this election was to show that the government is not the solution to our problems. It is time for Conservatives, and Christians (two groups, not mutually exclusive but not the same) to wake up, smell the coffee and get to work in our lives and in the lives of other individuals - other people. Extend a hand, don't shake a fist. Love. Don't hate. Forgive. Work.
           To myself and to anyone else that can be helped by it: all of what I've just said to everyone else plus this: be strong and courageous. It is time to get to work, and that work involves other people. I know you want to hide somewhere, or to be invisible, but that is not an option. Your people need you to speak grace and truth. I know you think you're weak and cowardly, but they need your love, strength and courage.
            Much thinking needs to be done, but much doing, too. Begin with the obvious. Be willing to take a chance on Mr. Trump and on people around you.

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