I am prepared for today.

I think things will turn out alright today. I’ve been following the polling and early voting registrations closely enough to believe that if the election is fair and just, America should elect a new President today.

But I thought that same thing four years ago, so it’s good to prepare for all contingencies.

May I suggest you do the same?

Over the past week or so, I’ve been preparing myself for possible disaster. I haven’t been stocking up on cans of soup and duct tape. I don’t expect civil unrest to erupt in my suburban corner of Connecticut. But I’ve been preparing mentally for bad news just in case another minority of racist, sexist, misinformed, and utterly deceived Americans find a way to elect an incompetent, racist, traitorous, self-described sex predator to the Presidency once again.

Here is a list of the pre-programmed thoughts that will fill my mind if the election somehow goes in favor of the racists, the white supremacists, the grifters, the bigots, and the immoral, self-serving scumbags who think that lower taxes justify the separating of families on the border, the caging of small children, the complete mismanagement of this deadly pandemic, the constant and continuous lies to the American people, and traitorous overtures to multiple foreign adversaries:

1. My grandparents fought the Nazis in World War II. My father was drafted and forced to fight in Vietnam. This is my fight, and I will not shirk from my responsibilities if this battle must be waged for another four years.
2. People much smarter and more capable than me are prepared to oppose this corrupt and incompetent administration on my behalf if necessary. I am not alone, nor do I need to lead the charge. I’m going to lean into the things I can and should be doing: educate children, voice my opposition whenever possible, continue to make art, and ensure that my wife and children are safe, happy, and prosperous.
3. I’m going to be a relentlessly positive, optimistic force in what will undoubtedly be a sea of despair and hopelessness in so many.
4. I’m going to allow myself large swaths of time every day to leave politics behind and find beauty in the countless small, precious things of my life.
5. I’m going to remind myself that Americans have had their backs to the wall before. Many, many times. This is not our first or even our darkest hour. Thank goodness the backs of those Americans who came before me were strong. My back will be strong, too.
6. I am going to kiss my wife, tickle my children, pet my cats, teach my students, ride my bike, hit golf balls poorly, eat too many cheeseburgers, write lots and lots of sentences, tell lots and lots of stories, and never forget how lucky I am to be able to do all these things.

I don’t think these thoughts will be necessary. I hope and pray that they will ultimately be preparation without purpose. But it’s good to be prepared. It’s good to have a positive, productive path planned just in case.

Now go vote if you haven’t already. Vote like hell. Then find some beauty in your day. Enjoy a moment of laughter with your family or friends or by yourself. Admire the majesty of a tree. Read a good book. Watch a film or TV show that opens your heart. Call someone who you haven’t spoken to in a while.

Smile.

We’re going to be okay. Either way.