Mourning The Loss of The Bubble and Other Post Election Thoughts
The last 18 months have been exhausting, emotional, eye-opening and at times, very frightening. Much to my disappointment in the outcome we now have a President-elect and it is time to focus and move forward. It's time to parent the hell out of this parenting game. As if it weren't already hard enough, now we have to deal with the big bag of crap we've just been handed. It is our job to teach our children to be better, choose better and try harder. To never give up on their dreams, to always stand up for what's right and to change the world with their light and love. I woke up from a daze yesterday and realized that it's time to step up and stay connected, even more than I thought I was in the past. As the initial depression fades I feel more awake than I ever have been (figuratively speaking...I mean, come on, I am still an exhausted single Mom surviving on caffeine and whatever's left of my morning runner's high.) I feel like this blog is a place for me to share my thoughts and feelings about what has transpired. I consider myself educated and in tune with the issues, but I will be honest, maybe I am out of touch. I was among the many that reacted with "shock and awe" at the outcome of the election. How did I not realize how divided our country is? Am I living in a dream world where everyone gets along? I AM! I have created a reality for my son that is one of inclusion, diversity, and acceptance. That's the nature of our family and community we surround ourselves with. My son goes to a very diverse school with both male and female teachers, both of color. A classroom filled with children of all races and religions. Our close friends and family represent all classes, races, religions, genders and sexual orientations. We don't spend our time with negative people or in situations that would feel divisive or against our core beliefs. I know that not all of the people in our lives have similar political views, but that has never really bothered me. We can cordially agree to disagree and I choose not to talk politics with other adults around my child. I believe in the choices we are presented in life and that no one should dictate our own patriotism. I'm now realizing I've created the bubble and it burst...and it scares the hell out of me.
People we love feel alone, frightened, isolated and unsure of their futures. As the days unfold we don't know what may happen. As it stands we have already seen senseless acts of bigotry, violence, hate and anger spill into streets and classrooms. IT'S DAY 1 and he isn't even in office yet. It is up to us all to come together, but I will be honest and (as always in this blog) raw and real with you: I am afraid. Not for me, but for my son. For his innocence, his kind heart, his loving spirit and his open mind. He doesn't know hate, but the world around us all is becoming more and more hateful. I'm terrified.
I can't change who we as a country have elected as president, but I can be part of positive change, and so can you. If I have learned anything from this election it is the enormous power of words. We have been bombarded with negative ads, explosive reactions, damaging language and hateful speech. Words that, even though we may not realize it, surround our children and the world they live in. You are the one who controls the narrative in your home. Choose your words wisely and with great consideration. Stop and breathe. Remember little ears hear everything. Little eyes see everything. And remember your kids know you better than you think. They see your reaction and they react. They emulate you. When they say "be the change you want to see in the world" that's this moment right now with your children and every moment moving forward. The change is you Mom and Dad. The other lesson I have learned in this process is the stop and listen. Hear your children. You are their anchor and their compass. No politician will ever be that for them. You are the INSPIRATION for GENERATIONS. Are they expressing concern or fear? My son is almost 4. It's our inner circle that is his guide. His father and I stand united in our love for him, our love of country and our commitment to teaching him positive values and ethics. No one can come into our homes and teach him otherwise. It is with a level head, an open heart, and a sincere respect for our jobs as parents that we will choose to teach our child compassion and caring for the community and how to be an involved and integral part of the positivity we represent as creatives, influencers and members of a global citizenship. He is us and we are him. We will hear him and be his advocate and voice for change. It won't be easy and we will and have been met with opposition in the past but its with real and true LOVE that we move forward as proud parents to someone who really can change the world. Believe me, this family of mine has been through some crazy times before and we have worked hard to overcome them, and we will not stop now.
As I write this tears are falling down my face. I know that today and for many more days people will be hurt and violated, degraded and dismissed. They will be met with hate and anger, with ignorance and with violence. I cry because that's someone's mother, son, daughter, sister and brother, friends and spouses. And I mourn the loss of my silly little bubble of a life that I thought was one of love and light and positivity. We don't live there any more. It's time for me to wake up, get focused, and move forward with strength, hope and optimism that for all of the bad we see in the world there is an equal good and that I can only try to be part of that movement.
I have no other words other than, as always...
ALL LOVE,
W & B