A Historic Election

This week has been an historic week. Not in the way that I had hoped, but still historic. This blog is to document my family’s life, and I have enough thoughts in my head about this election season that I just want to remember how I felt and reacted during this huuuge political event. I have never been much into politics. When Obama ran I watched the debates and was so inspired by his message. I will admit I didn’t dig into the policies I just went with who I felt would be a good leader. Very uninformed I know. This season I wanted to understand more. I really actually enjoyed it. I know there was a lot of negative, but I am not sure any political cycle doesn’t have this part of it. I was on the #nevertrump from the primary season. I actually like John Kasich. Like much of the country I laughed at the thought of Trump being the Republican candidate. But as the primaries started to come to a close and a contested convention seemed as though it would not happen, I realized he was the nominee. Let me also say I am a registered Republican. Like many people my age and younger, I am really conflicted with what party I belong to, so of course I took a quiz. Republican every time, though not all the way to the right. I would say I am fiscally conservative, but socially liberal.

I went into the conventions with an open mind. I was trying to get on the Trump train. I realize what is at stake in this election, specifically with the Supreme Court. Throughout the RNC I started to think maybe this guy isn’t so horrible. I mean his kids. Gosh, they all seemed so normal, so refined, so good. A man that was father to these kids couldn’t be so bad. Perhaps it was all for show to get the world’s attention (which I am praying it is so). So I started to think maybe I could do it. But wanted to also go into the DNC with an open mind. I enjoyed every bit of both conventions. My kids remember it as the nights they got to stay up late because mommy and daddy were watching tv so late. We basically turned on the tv for two weeks and let them run wild. At the end of the DNC, I loved everything. I liked the positivity that they supported. 

I just don’t think America is that dismal as portrayed in the RNC. I believe we are the most blessed nation. Do we have some things that need fixed? Well yes, show me a person, business, church, family, or nation that doesn’t need a little fixin’? But sometimes I feel like we are so blessed here in America we forget just how blessed we are.

So I came out of the DNC very conflicted. Then Trump started in on the Kahn family and for me it all went downhill from there. I made up my mind very soon and became #Imwithher. The guy just didn’t seem like who I felt would be the best leader for my country. 

Tim and I voted absentee. We never really talked to our kids about what was going on. Although as the race neared, I mentioned to Addison we would probably have the first girl president soon. She doesn’t realize how monumental this is. But tears would well up in my eyes as I was telling her how exciting and important this year would be.

The day of the election we still acted as it was a normal day. Then after school, Tim called saying “they are brain washing our children”. I was surprised by this statement because Tim never calls during the day unless it is really important. He put in on speaker phone and Addison told me the things she heard through the day. “Hillary will take babies out of mommies tummies and kill them.” “Hillary will take all of our mom and dad’s money.” “Mr. Trump doesn’t like girls and wants to get rid of them.” My first reaction to this was anger. Why were they filling my child with these ugly thoughts? On my drive home I thought emailing the teacher was not the right reaction (although my first). I choose to use this as a teaching moment. Addy told me she thought she should change her vote because everyone else in the class voted for Trump. I explained that 1. It was too late. Once you vote you cannot re-vote. 2. Stand your ground. Believe in what you believe in but with a caring and loving heart. I told her that these statements made were not true. That they were nothing she should be worrying about. That everything would be okay because we are already a great nation with more blessings than we could count.

As I watched the votes roll in, I like many believed Hillary would prevail. But by 10:00pm I realized her path was very narrow. This election will be studied by pollsters, campaign managers, reporters, and candidates for years to come. It is historic because everyone got it wrong. We miscalculated the projected results. A candidate with no political experience whatsoever had won. I went to bed knowing deep in my heart that Hillary had lost, but still hoping this was some sort of media drama and she would pull it out.

I woke up at 4:30 the next day and my phone told me Trump had won. I woke Tim up and told him the news. He said “no way”. I said “I am not kidding”. His response was “Well, we better start praying”. I went to the gym stunned, sick to my stomach and still not believing what had happened. As I processed it all I realized my responsibility. I was going to be watched by my girls and my response needed to be appropriate. When I got home I told Addy the news, her face dropped. I quickly said Addy it is okay. Our job now is to support our President. We must pray for his family and for him to make wise decisions. Today if anyone talks about it I want you to say that you support our President and you are praying for him. I also ended it with something she would really understand “you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.”

I watched the speeches by Trump, Obama, and Clinton that morning. For Trump and Clinton I thought these were the best they had given the whole season. I pray that this country continues with these messages and moves forward together. Because I truly believe we are stronger together.

You see I didn’t get what I wanted. But I choose to be positive. I choose to support the leader of this nation that has been great, is great and will continue to be great. I choose to pray for safety of our nation and its leader. I choose to find the good in the President-elect. I choose to continue to educate myself and become more involved in our country. I choose to be the best example for my children, to vote my conscience but not be a sore loser. I choose to stand for unity. I choose to count my many blessings. So time to board the Trump train, here we go America. Let’s do something good.