The beginnings of release

and the start of the climb back up and out

Photo by Courtney Hedger on Unsplash

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This song “Once Upon a Time” by Ordinary Elephant has been hanging with me as of late. I’ve used the lyrics in previous posts. They are fitting once again.

Tell me that story again darlin'
The one where we all end up alright
Tell me that story again darlin'
Wasn't it true once upon a time?

We spent yesterday in Sonoma at the wedding of our dear friends’ daughter. It was a day filled with joy, laughter, dancing, and celebration… a perfect blend of happiness. We gathered unhurriedly yesterday morning, reminiscing over coffee and pastries and holding onto the joy of the wedding. 

As we drove through the breathtaking countryside of Sonoma on our way home, I fought back tears. 

Hmmm, Suzy-girl, what’s up?

I wrote it off to just the emotion of the event, knowing deep down though that, for me, sadness is quite different than emotion. Perhaps I was just tired.

I'll keep keeping up with the laundry
You'll keep keeping up with the car
I guess things aren't really changing here
It sure feels like they are

Once settled back home, I looked out my bedroom window at the pistache tree in its glorious fall colors and found myself crying again because I would be away from home for the next week and would miss its brief display. 

Okay, Suzy-girl, seriously? What’s up?

The answer came easily. I’m afraid and profoundly sad after this election.

We've got good dogs we've got a good porch
We've got eyes to see we've got a good view
We've got ears to hear and we are listening
Truth is not something we can choose

Many of the most important people in my life are of Jewish decent. A number of my best friends are gay. In the days after the election, someone from our area felt comfortable driving around with a large flag waiving the words “death to all gays.”

I’d like to keep my voting rights. I’d like to preserve women’s reproductive rights. I’d like to keep religion and politics separate. While I’d like to solve border issues, it can’t be at the expense of our beloved Latin population. And that’s just the beginning.

Tell me that story again darlin'
The one where we all end up alright

I need this time to process my sadness. It is only with its release that I will find my strength to fight back, to raise a flag of my own for connection and inclusion. I won’t need to attach it to the back of my vehicle creating a distraction on the highway. It will waive silently and majestically, blowing in Mother Nature’s breeze.

She’s a force, that gal.