From Paradise Lost
I woke this morning feeling as if I had been tossed from the real world into an alternate universe–where Trump had become president. I kept grasping for something that would allow me to return to that safer and saner world where Hillary had won.
How could a man who had said such vile things about women and immigrants, who had mocked the disabled, insulted POW war heroes, bashed Gold Star families, and belittled worthy adversaries become the leader of our nation and the free world?
How could the most qualified person ever to seek the presidential office, who had worked her whole life to help children, oppressed women, and working families, who would in turn break a long-standing ceiling to become the first woman to hold the highest office in our land–how could she lose to him?
I felt sure there must be another reality in which she had prevailed. So why had I and so many unwilling been tossed into this one? Was there something here I needed to learn?
So I grasped at straws, hoping this new reality under a Trump presidency wouldn’t be as bad as I feared.
Perhaps Trump the con artist, playing to the crowd all along, didn’t believe the worst of what he had said and would not pursue the worst of his claims. Perhaps now that he had won and didn’t have to fool anyone any more, his once liberal leanings would emerge–a way to pay back all the Republicans who hadn’t supported him or believed he could win.
Sadly, the belief that this all had been a scam to win the biggest ego prize ever was the only source of hope I could muster for a while. I just prayed that despite this he would keep his promise to help those who have felt left out of the American dream. I hoped he had enough integrity to do at least that much.
A faint hope, but it was all I had.
Until I heard Hillary’s concession speech. And then I cried tears of gratitude. I had never been so proud of her–and of us, as Americans–as I was then.
She said:
“We must accept this result and then look to the future. Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead.”
“Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power,” she added. “We don’t just respect that. We cherish it. It also enshrines the rule of law; the principle we are all equal in rights and dignity; freedom of worship and expression. We respect and cherish these values, too, and we must defend them.”
“This is painful, and it will be for a long time, but I want you to remember this: Our campaign was never about one person, or even one election. It was about the country we love.”
“To all the little girls watching this, never doubt that you are powerful and valuable and deserving of every chance in the world.”
“Never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.”
I knew then that hate hadn’t trumped love, as I had feared when I woke. Even in this seemingly alternate reality where Trump was president.
If this brave, strong, and loving woman could keep an open mind and look with hope and optimism to the future–despite her tremendous loss, then so could I.
Maybe that’s what I needed to learn.
Thank you, Hillary. I can feel my heart starting to heal already.
Deborah J. Brasket 
I had all the same thoughts, wishes, and feelings today. And the same pride and gratitude for Hilary Clinton. Her statement was powerful, clear, steady and positive. I would have been proud and happy to have her as my president. And so the world changes today into something else. We don’t know what he will actually do. But we do know that the rest of us must give ourselves time to grieve and then get on with making the changes that need to be made that will serve our people and the world.
That’s the hardest part–she would have been so good as our president and made us so proud. I think we are the laughing stock of the world with Trump. But we do have to give him a chance, as she said. There were a few things he was for that will be good, building up our infrastructure, discouraging the transfer of jobs overseas, renegotiating some trade deals. And maybe he’ll soften on his more extreme measures. In the meantime, like you say, we have work to do to replace him in 4 years.
The whole world is in shock, I think.
It seems you are right. In shock and fearful, from what I’ve been reading. We all are.
Deborah
This is beautifully said and I am so glad you found a little piece of that silver lining. Let’s hope that more Americans took in what Hillary had to say and feel the same way. God bless…
Betty Wright
Canada
Thanks you, Betty.
So beautifully expressed. Thank you sincerely. I too was moved by Hillary’s concession speech and noticed her hints to all of us as we move forward on how we can stay the course while accepting the alternate reality that we woke up within.
Thank you, Deby. She has helped a lot of us to cope better with this unbelievable turn of events.. That’s what a true leader does.
Deborah, I have been in a media blackout and hiding under a virtual blanket. I’m trying to get out from under my gloomy view of the next 4 years.
I’ve been able to bring myself to listen to Hillary’s speech, and I thank you for quoting her here. I’m so grateful to you for this heartfelt essay, and I’m reblogging it,
I’ve been getting my grove back by wearing a #safetypin and broadcasting the news of the Women’s March on Washington.
I’m on a semi-media blackout, staying away from cable news and just checking out headlines on the internet. It’s helped me to write about this, although I didn’t want to at first. But writing always helps me to sort through my feelings, especially when I’m upset or depressed. I’m glad my post was able to help, and thank you so much for the reblog.
Reblogged this on Life on the Bike and other Fab Things and commented:
Deborah is able to put into words how I have been feeling, and offers quotes from HRC’s concession speech, which I have not been able to watch. Thank you, Deborah.
I too cried when I read her words. Again I cried when I read them to my husband. They are something to hang onto…and I will, thank you for writing this post.
So many of us felt the same. Thank you, Zannyro.
Beautifully said. I’m not there yet, but as my grief subsides, I will join the ranks of those wanting to make a difference. And yes:
“This is painful, and it will be for a long time, but I want you to remember this: Our campaign was never about one person, or even one election. It was about the country we love.”
“To all the little girls watching this, never doubt that you are powerful and valuable and deserving of every chance in the world.”
We owe it to all the little girls to keep fighting this fight.
Thank you. Yes, we owe it to our children and grandchildren to keep fighting for what’s right.