To my Daughters, Niece, Nephew, and Global Friends

Hi.

Let's start there. "Hi."  Let's start with the fact that for today, for now, nothing will change for better or for worse.

So, friends: many angry, scared people voted for someone who seems, himself, to be angry and probably some would say scared too... And their votes outnumbered those who voted for a lady who believed in equality, justice, fairness, and choice.

It's a hard pill to swallow.  I remember when I studied abroad in South Africa sixteen years ago and many people I encountered asked me, "Why did you bomb Afghanistan?"  My answer each time was that "I, personally, did not bomb Afghanistan; I did not vote for the person who made the decision to bomb Afghanistan; and I did not support the fact that our government moved forward in that action."  But the absolute beauty of the American government is that I was allowed to say that.

I have a feeling I'll be saying a similar shpiel for the next four years, to those I know in other countries who will ask, "Why did America vote for Donald Trump?"  Please know that my response is, "I did not vote for Donald Trump and many people did not vote for Donald Trump and America has this complicated electoral college voting system..."

Now: to the specifics, and particularly to my dear Samara, it's time to apologize: I'm so very sorry.  I haven't told you yet about the outcome of this very divisive election within our country.  You lie sleeping in your bed for now.  I am worried.  I am concerned.  For when I tell you, I fear you will do as you always do when President-Elect Trump's name is mentioned: you ask about "The Wall" and your friends and who will be allowed to stay in this country and who will have to leave and whether your family is safe..." and on and on and on.  And because I tell you as much of the truth as I think that you can handle, I will have to say, "I am sorry that I do not have those answers and I do not know."

In fact, Daughters, Niece, Nephew and Global Friends, the truth is who knows what will happen now? So many people voted for Trump so as to avoid a liberal choice for Supreme Court Justice.  President-Elect Trump says he has a list of twenty.  Who will he recommend and will the Senate agree?  So many people voted for Trump because he promised a specific amount in tax returns. This will take more than his doing and will Congress allow it?  Remains to be seen.  So many people voted for him because he promised to do away with Obamacare.  With a Republican-led Senate, I think that is likely to happen.  For this, I grieve, although I know many business-owners will welcome the lifted burden.

What I do know is what I can do.  I can pray each day for our law makers and our Nation's new executive officer, President-Elect Trump. I can continue to give back to my community, of my time and with my pocket. I can respectfully exercise my right to disagree, and seek solace in supporting any American values that remain in our country.

Daughters, Niece, Nephew and Global Friends: keep the faith. I'm not saying that in the next four years various rights and privileges for which people have worked and fought very hard won't disappear.  But with little else to do: let's keep the faith; let's pray; and let's see what President-Elect Donald Trump is really made of.