Wednesday was a difficult day for me. Difficult for many people, I suspect.
I only slept two or three hours before rising around 3:30, having given up on sleep.
I always knew that Trump could win the election, but I did not see the size of his victory as a possible outcome.
A twice-impeached felon and self-described serial sexual assault perpetrator who was found liable by a jury of his peers of sexual assault and who also attempted to subvert democracy and stood by with glee while the US Capitol was attacked has somehow convinced half the voters of this nation that he is worthy of the highest office in the land.
It’s unthinkable.
Of course, the fact he stole money from charities, stole money from Americans via a fake university, and bragged about sneaking into the dressing rooms of the Miss Universe contest to stare at young, naked women didn’t stop people from electing him before, so perhaps I was being shortsighted and naive.
I did not recognize the level of racism, misogyny, xenophobia, greed, misinformation, and tribalism in our country.
I was so profoundly disappointed in my fellow Americans and angry with them for placing so many people in jeopardy by electing this lying, ignorant narcissist again.
So, Wednesday was tough.
But once the sun had risen, I went to work and taught a diverse group of glorious, curious, occasionally obnoxious children to read, write, and solve math problems. I helped them navigate friendships and conflict. I tried like hell to make them laugh and love school. I attempted to be a role model for their future endeavors.
It was a perfect way to spend the day.
Then, Elysha and I went to Clara’s parent-teacher conferences, where we met with a team of dedicated professionals who support our daughter on a daily basis and are helping her thrive beyond our wildest dreams.
We listened as they discussed her academic success, her grit and perseverance, her growing independence, and much more. There was talk of honors classes, AP classes, and college visits.
Heady stuff.
Clara’s teachers and counselors know Clara, adore her, and are deeply invested in her present and future. They are consummate professionals, but even better, they are caring, dedicated, brilliant human beings championing Clara’s dreams and aspirations.
It was a glorious way to end an impossibly difficult day.
Fred Rogers once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
I witnessed those helpers on Wednesday night, and they gave me hope.
The people teaching my daughter are the very best of us. They work incredibly hard in often impossible situations for never enough money to brighten our children’s lives.
On Wednesday night, instead of listening to hate, vengeance, selfishness, and stupidity, I found the helpers.
I spent time with the very best people.
This is what I will continue to do:
Look for the helpers, and whenever possible, be a helper myself.
Remind myself of the multitude of kind, intelligent, selfless Americans around me every day.
