Heart to Heart

So, the last few months have been intense with all the election drama. I have never seen such offensive divisiveness during an election in my lifetime. It has been disturbing on so many levels. Not only some of my friends, but also some of my family members have been on opposite sides of the great divide. It has caused such friction that at times my heart literally has felt broken.

I can’t remember a time when I have felt so passionately about issues. Because of this, the realization that people I care about felt completely the opposite was incomprehensible to me. I found that we could not even discuss the differences without getting angry. This in itself is disturbing. We have always been able to talk. It seems the whole country is having the same problem. No one is listening and everyone is angry.

So here’s the deal. The election is just now over but I came to this conclusion more than a week ago. I’m going to let it go. I’m not letting go of what I believe in. I will continue to fight against hate and injustice. But I am going to remember why I love my friends and my family. Because the truth is I love them no matter who they voted for. My love was not contingent upon them agreeing with everything I say. No matter how heinous I may have found the opposing candidate, no matter how shocking, they have the right to believe exactly what they choose.

It is my deepest wish that the country will do the same. That families, states, communities and our country will not be divided by ideology. We are America, these are the rights we fought and died for. Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion and equal rights for all. Freedom to be whomever you choose to be. United we stand. We are all in this together. And guess what. We already are great.