Since I don’t have TV, I’ve been listening to the U.S, Presidential election results on National Public Radio, my main source of news. And the race has just been called, for Donald Trump. Hillary Clinton has already called him to congratulate him.
I am flabbergasted, an old word that must have the dust shaken off of it at a time like this.
Synonyms for flabbergasted include “amazed, astonished, staggered, nonplussed, confounded, perplexed, confused, and mystified.”
That about sums it up for me.
I must admit that finding out in May, on Mother’s Day, that my sons both supported Trump gave me pause for some serious thought. My sons are intelligent, educated, good and compassionate young men, who were raised to think independently.
Their choice of Trump as a candidate made me realize that it was dangerous to generalize about Trump supporters, as so many of my fellow progressive and liberal friends have done. Their choice also made me less sure that my candidate, Hillary Clinton, would win.
Now it is time to do what my pastor, Rev. Laura Young, asked us to do last Sunday: to act in such a way as to promote healing in our very divided nation. I am hopeful, after listening to President-elect Trump’s acceptance speech a few minutes ago, which stressed working together to go forward, that many of us will work for healing instead of division.
Let Us Live Like We Mean It! 
Let’s hope the healing begins soon.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. I think the healing must begin starting right now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Though I have to say (as non American) that this election must had been one of the most engaging for Americans so far. Cousins who are born and raised in the US have never had more fervour in discussing the issues the country faces.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is no alternative. Hope is the only way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Robyn. I’m having a bit of a hard time this morning holding onto the idea, much less the feeling, of hope. But I do agree that it is the only way forward…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Timi I’ve read how people’s candidate preferences have divided families. I’m curious to know why people chose Trump. I wonder how skewed the information we’re getting through the media is. I guess everyone has an opinion. Do hope the US can heal the terrible rifts this campaign has exposed. Best wishes to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here in New Zealand we are just as shocked. And hoping that constitutional safeguards prevent most of Trump’s wild policies from being implemented.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Many of my friends are thinking in catastrophic terms about Trump becoming our next President. But I’m hoping, along with some others, that he will turn out more moderate than he was during the campaign. It is scary, though, that all our branches of government at the highest levels, the executive, the legislative and the judiciary lean to the Right. The synergy they can lend to each other’s purposes could produce some fairly awful results. But I refuse to go so far as to predict that, because I don’t think it would help the situation at all. We need some commonality of understanding, not further distancing from each other….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Me too, though when the divide is that deep, it will take time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wise words dear Timi…..We are living in very uncertain and dare I say dangerous times. We, of course are experiencing the awful fall out of Brexit. It’s a huge mess, one that will get much bigger. However, back to one small step at a time and doing the best we can as individuals. Hope you are able to get some watercolour painting in. Janet:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Janet! And thanks for reminding me to do some art. I actually have a commission due at Christmas–a portrait of one of my nieces, for her parents. I think I’m going to do it in Neocolor, which are water-soluble oil pastels. 🙂
LikeLike
I will look forward to seeing the painting…I find it’s always good to have a deadline…Enjoy a beautiful weekend filled with peace and creativity…janet:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Janet. First though I have to pay bills–ugh! LOL You have a wonderful weekend, too! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The trump represented rurals in this election n it’s proved that elites are not masses…as hillary represented elites
LikeLike
Although Hillary Clinton actually DID WIN the popular vote, just not the Electoral College vote, which I think is an outdated system in this country that needs to be changed.
LikeLike
If you are only getting your information from NPR, you are being fed propaganda from the government. And, Electoral College vote avoids mob rule.
LikeLike