Optimism followed by shock then sadness morphing into pure terror to my core and now a call to action.  He Who Will Never Represent My Values is our nation’s new leader, elected by less than a majority of our citizens.  Why?  How?  WTF!

Spending the first Presidential election apart since we met, Thom suffered in Idaho, the most red of red states while I will forever be bonded with Whitney and Cat as we experienced the heartache together in Seattle.  At one point after it became obvious Cheeto Jesus was in control, Cat pulled out the smokes and we drowned our sorrows first in tobacco quickly followed by strong alcohol at a bar across the street from The Westin where the Dems had gathered to celebrate and ultimately cry together.  Normal behavior for me?  Nope-haven’t had a cigarette in years and probably won’t ever again but desperate times and all.

Leaving my friends around 9 p.m., I made the cold walk home alone to walk the dogs.  I went to bed amidst a self-imposed media blackout, not wanting to face the awful final decision confirming that the American people had gone crazy.  Up early to take care of the pups, I caught the newspaper headlines out of the corner of my eye in the street box around the corner that verified the awful truth.  Oh.  Hell. No.

Spending the following weekend in Boise with our lovely granddaughter, Mia finally made us smile and forget.  Sadly, Mia would not see a woman elected to our highest office.  Yet.  Damn.

This week we looked forward to David Sedaris sharing his wisdom and wit during his appearance at Benroya Hall.  Surely David, the funniest writer and humorist around, would make us feel better, perhaps even laugh.  Paul Constant, co-founder of Seattle Review of Books, introduced David.  “Fuuuuuuccccckkkkk” followed by “Shhhhhiiiiiittttt”.  Paul shared his election reaction that we could all relate to.  Election eve, Paul shared that he got terribly high as he dealt with the anxiety.  Paul, you and everyone in the place could relate as we are all in this together, struggling mightily to make sense of it all while multi-tasking to explore the Canadian real estate market as we drink LOTS of hard alcohol. Crazy times.

Avoiding the topic for most of the night and sporting bold culottes cut from curtain-like fabric, David finally had to address the orange elephant in the room when one gal asked him during the Q & A, “What can you say to make us feel better?”

At that point, he called to the stage a local Seattle friend of his, Suze.  He must have anticipated this type of question because she was ready to encourage the audience with a passionate call to action:  spread love (kissing booths perhaps?), offer sanctuary to all who are targeted by this administration and be subversive.  Really, really subversive.  I like her.

David mocked recent protests where people rallied and held hands peacefully around a lake.  What a bucolic scene that would be but he suggested instead that we should gather around a lake and drown those who didn’t vote.  I think he was kidding.  Maybe.

So, here we are profoundly sad, broken, pissed, fearful, and the emotional list goes on and on.  We are a mess.  What to do now?  Get involved, make your voice heard, contribute to those in need.

I will march with the Women’s March on Washington movement right here in Seattle on 1/21, the day after the inauguration, which I will not watch.  Anyone who wants to show, in a peaceful way, that women’s rights should matter to everyone is welcome to join us.

I will donate to causes who will need help now more than ever-Planned Parenthood and the ACLU among others.

I will call the House Oversight Committee (202-225-5074) to support a bipartisan review of Trump’s financials and conflicts of interest.  Call early, call often.

I will call my congress person and demand they stand up against the appointment of Bannon and use this as a script: ” Hi, my name is xxxx and I am a constituent.  I am calling to ask that Rep/Sen xxxx refuse to work with the Trump transition team until Bannon is removed from his staff.  His history of demeaning and dangerous racist language is unacceptable.  He/she needs to step up and protect American values now.”

I will encourage others to make a difference and not move to Canada or avoid the frightening news that will be coming at us daily.  Stand tall and fight the good fight.

Here’s hoping that the sun will continue to rise, that people will continue to stand up for their rights and our country remains safe for ALL people.  Be safe, be strong my friends.