But in those days,
the sun will be darkened,
the moon will not give its light,
the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
— Mark 13.24–25 (The Little Apocalypse)
* * *
I’ve fallen in love with Kamala. If she wins, I’ll be elated. If she loses, I’ll be crushed.
My heart will be broken.
I will writhe in agony and curse the night. I will mourn for our country.
But I won’t give up.
I will not give in to grief or hatred. I will pick myself up off the floor.
(I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.)
Long ago I learned an important lesson following a devastating personal loss:
A lot of good work can be done with a broken heart.
Historically, many peoples and nations have endured nightmares and kept going. Others have lived through apocalyptic times, weathered the storm, and rebuilt their countries from the rubble.
It happens. Often.
We are not exceptional.
The Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer was studying in the United States when the Nazis came to power. He could have stayed here. Instead, he went home “to be with his people in their hour of darkness.” He resisted Nazism and was executed for it on April 9, 1945.
I don’t need to go home. This is my home. This land is my land. This land is our land.
I’m not leaving.
If Trump wins, I intend to do my part to protect our country, its democratic institutions, and its citizens from irreparable harm. I don’t know how yet, but I’ll figure that out along with the rest of you.
No matter the election’s outcome, I already know that more than half our compatriots are with us. Many respect the truth. Many cherish democracy.
We are not alone. We are not few. We are many.
But we won’t take up arms.
We’ll humbly take up freedom, compassion, and courage. And take up the flag, proudly.
The sun and moon and stars may fall, but we will not falter. We’ll stand tall. We’ll let our light shine.
We’ll do good work with our broken hearts.
But if truth be told, I’m expecting Harris to win. I expect to be over the moon. And I expect to work with her to make our great nation even better.
After all, a lot of good work can be done with a happy heart.
_______________________
See Paula’s photo (“Dahlia Serenity”) on the home page.
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