my pink toes

Things that make me cry: the end of Charlotte's Web, impossible center field catches, and the day after election day.

It's not as stereotypical as a Hallmark commercial, but sometime on election day or the day after, I am always overcome by tears. As I listened to the results today, the tears came. I felt overwhelmed by how lucky I am - by how lucky WE are. I can listen to the pundits droning, the new officials promising, and the radio hosts tallying the votes. We complain about the elections, about all the coverage, the mudslining, etc. But we are so very lucky. It is only because of the freedom we have in this country and our stable republic and democracy that we CAN listen to the overblown election blather.

I voted yesterday and no one threatened me. I didn't face gunfire. And today, the new leaders talk about taking office - no violent coup, no bloodshed. My life will be pretty similar in January to what it is now. We move in inches in a democracy, not feet. But thankfully, it all seems like it moves mostly in the same direction. Other countries have more distinct changes, but they are burst of violence or passion that never quite gain a foothold. I'd rather inch along in a positive direction.

I'm so grateful that this "American Experiment" works.