I can't begin to tell you how I feel tonight, but here's a glimpse into my mindset...

Tonight is the 78th anniversary of Kristallnacht. At a time when my beloved country has elected a candidate who was openly endorsed by white supremacists--who are now celebrating a Trump victory--I pray that the divisive language of the campaign in the end means nothing, but as a student of history, I am concerned. Today in Philadelphia, shop windows were broken and Nazi slogans and swastikas were spray painted. Here, in America, in 2016, on the very day this man was declared the winner of a contentious election cycle. Coincidence? Maybe. There will always be those who hate. But I know a lot of people feel a lot less safe in today's America vs. yesterday's, are stressed over whether they will lose healthcare, experience newly infused discrimination and hate, and what the next four years (please let it be just four years) will mean for our country. His supporters speak of a country 'taken back' and 'united'. But sadly, that does not seem to be the case. Unless we all learn to live together and embrace our diversity, it will never happen.The thing is, America was always great, we are stronger together, and our motto is rightly 'united we stand'. I hope people remember that, because if we crumble in our resolve to be the nation which our Founding Fathers created, there are so very many horrific things that can happen.

By the way...

I think Kelly Clarkson and I have some similar issues:





One for each of the two most important people in terms of my childhood. Let me just say thank you for my dearest friend--and whom I consider family--who 'raised' me in my 20s, taught me to love others and myself, and whom I can always count on. I've got your back.

I think I understand

While all of the factors mentioned in the preceding post are, in fact, true and probably relevant, it's not my hormones, my need to some 'me' time, stress over finances and jobs, or anything like that. It's very simple. I am afraid of losing someone in my life who is dealing with issues that are very serious. I'm trying to make things better, to no avail, and I've got to accept that I can't. I can be there. I can listen. I can love. But in the end, I have no control over the situation. I only can hope it improves, and provide supportive care where I can. From there, I can only hope for the best.