Thank you Nancy for articulating so beautifully my feelings on the shocking outcome of an election that I had such hope for. I am grieving for our country and what could have been had Kamala Harris been elected instead of the convicted felon/insurrectionist. To say that I'm in shock doesn't come close to describing how devastated I feel. I am very frightened for what is coming.
I hear you and agree with everything you said. Like Stephanie wrote, we mourn and then we recalibrate. Fear and anger can be driving forces, too. Kamala would've made a great president. I'm disappointed and, okay, disgusted that so many voted instead for a man who is so deeply flawed, and completely unfit for the job. But here we are. Our voices will not be silenced. Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate you.
Hi Nancy, I will have to write a better comment on your excellent post, but right now I am grieving. Unlike the horrible 2016 election, I was not surprised this time. Deep down inside I knew Trump would win. It doesn't make it any easier. It was love for my country that made me vote for the best candidate. But right now I can't say I love my country. Hell, I don't even like it anymore. And so many Americans vote without using their brains.
As you know, I adopted my daughter from Communist China. I had hoped she would have a better life here in a democracy, only to watch her rights being stripped away.
I have gone from numb to acceptance to downright crying and depression. I don't know how to recover. And I don't have the wherewithal to be an activist.
I hear you. Your comment here is just fine, though of course, you are welcome to keep the conversation going. I was surprised this time. I was last time, too, but even more so this time. The crowds were so large and enthusiastic that I really thought we finally had a chance to turn the page on Trump. It seems a lot of fellow citizens don't want to. The thing I can't figure out is why the people who struggle the most economically vote against their own best interests.
I hope we can keep the House, but that is looking bleaker by the hour. My activism is here on Substack for now. I'm grateful for this space more than ever. I appreciate you. Take care of yourself. Glad you have your painting and writing!
Beth, I’m sending you hugs. Grieve, yes, but know we will get through this. It’s terrifying when you think of all the things he threatened during the campaign, but maybe the narcissist will be less vindictive now that he got what he wanted. 🤞🏽 Keep painting…
Nancy, thank you for your (and others') words of wisdom. It's a gut punch. I can't believe I'm going to have to listen to a red-faced bully for the next four years. I turned off the news yesterday and it remains off. I'm going to get my nails done. Pet the dog. Eat a hamburger.
I turned off the news, too. For the most part anyway. I am not going to watch constant Trump coverage for the next four years. I'll watch just enough to keep up on what's happening, but that's it. More Netflix and such around here, reading and lots of walks. And writing!
Hope you got your nails done and enjoyed that hamburger! Thank goodness for pet therapy, right? Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate you.
Thanks Nancy. As usual spot on. My primary feeling is exhaustion. Bone weary fatigue from constant diligent attention to this election season. Starting back at the convention. I've always been very involved in politics. I even bought Hilarys newest book as I already read her offering about 2026. Plus I stayed up far too late watching results and had barely slept at all the night before. I have been avraw bundle of nerves about this for so long I have no idea when it started any more. I do know that I have always abhorred the man and as he became more and more violent and oppositional I got more and more scared. I have a terminal cancer and I am a low income person relying on our social network to survive. When the candidates talked about their ideas for providing health benefits or stripping them it's not just part of their plan or strategy it's how long I do or don't live. I can or can't afford the medication and treatment that attempt to prolong my life. I was shocked and disappointed. I almost could not believe it was true as I opened my eyes this morning and immediately grabbed my phone laying in my bed where I had dropped it last night. The shock did not last long before the fear returned.
Thank you for your kind words about my writing. So many of us are feeling that exhaustion. I'm sorry to hear you have terminal cancer which has to make you more fearful for the reasons you stated. I am not sure what the GOP plans are for healthcare. At this point, who knows. It is scary. I hope you feel supported here. It'll take awhile for the shock to wear off. This is grief we are feeling, and there are those very real stages - which, of course, aren't linear and have no finish date. We have to carry on, give ourselves grace, face each new day as best we can. And do what we can to support those who share our values. You aren't alone. Thank you for sharing so candidly. I appreciate you.
Well Nancy, today I mourn. I'm still a bit stunned to put it mildly. I too am disappointed that the majority of this country believes that a convicted felon, convicted rapist and a man who I consider dangerous and mentally ill is worthy of the title of President of the U.S. However, America has spoken and now we have to move on and try to make the best of it. I'm not ready yet, maybe tomorrow. I ate a lot previous to the election. Now I've lost my appetite and my words as well.
There are a lot of disappointed people out there. Unfortunately, too many voters did not want to turn the page on the convicted felon. Everyone knows he is unstable, unwell, and completely unfit for the job and yet...
Thank you for chiming in. Your comments always make me feel better. Knowing we're on the same page helps. I appreciate you. Take care of yourself. Hope you get your appetite back!
Nancy, you articulated my feelings so well. This win is even more horrifying than 2016 because it’s not a fluke. And it speaks to something terrible about this country. I also felt that he could win— my husband was certain that no one could vote for him, but I knew that they could and would. My daughter has been helping me process this, but it’s grief. And reasonable fear.
I'm glad my words resonated. It is more horrifying in many ways because now we know so much. I am so disappointed right now. I felt that Harris had a real chance to win, and she did keep it close. Learning that Trump won the popular vote, too, does indeed say something profound about our fellow Americans. It is grief indeed that we are feeling. Processing it all will take time. Thank you for being here. I appreciate you.
Nancy, my daughter works for a health policy group and she wrote me that most people--especially younger people--get their news from TikTok clips or Facebook posts and don't read the news critically. That is my observation also. So I feel that we are so siloed that the people who voted for him truly have a different version of the truth. As Tom Nichols wrote in The Atlantic yesterday, they wanted a rerun of their favorite reality show. As we process our grief, we should be so gentle and kind to ourselves and others.
This reminds me of the breast cancer experience--the limbo of waiting is over and now we're facing down a bad diagnosis and a new normal we didn't ever want.
Thank you for your additional comments. I don't know if that's a fair judgment or not about where younger people get their news. And what is considered a younger person anyway? We are indeed too siloed, that's for sure. I agree we need to be gentle and kind to ourselves and to others as well. I don't wish bad things for those who voted for Trump. After all, some are in my own family.
It's funny you mentioned that limbo of waiting. I actually had a post ready to go about that very thing - waiting for election results and tying it to the cancer experience of waiting. But the results came too fast! Then, I was going to plug the cancer connection into this post, but it started to seem way too long. Maybe I can still use the idea as we wait for Jan. It's all so distressing. Waiting is hard in some ways, but I am in no hurry either to see what the new administration will bring. But we'll get through it all together.
I understand your frustration. Still, I can't and won't wish bad things for those who voted for Trump either. After all, I have Trump supporters in my family. I have had those moments though of utter frustration with them. I am most frustrated with white women. They let us down. It's hard to not be upset about that, and admittedly, I am struggling to not feel anger and bitterness toward that group.
Nancy, I must be too tired but I have tried posting twice and somehow my comment disappeared both times before I could finish! I will write my own post later, but know I am disappointed and sad, but hoping for positive things to come from this.
I’ve been coping today by stress cooking comfort foods, listening to Cuban jazz salsa music and dancing to it while cooking, giving belly rubs to my dogs, and letting myself cry during Kamala’s concession speech. And I talked with a like minded neighbor, which really helped. Thanks as always for your posts. ❤️
There must've been something wonky going on here on Substack yesterday because I tried commenting on Stephanie's post yesterday and had to try a half dozen times. It kept disappearing too. Glad yours worked here.
Your coping tools sound like good ones - especially giving belly rubs to your sweet dogs. I'm glad you were able to chat with a like-minded neighbor. That can be so helpful. Most of my neighbors probably voted for Trump. There are a sprinkling of Dems though. Husband and I were discussing this on our walk this morning thinking we wanted to check on ones we do sort of know to see how they're doing.
I watched Kamala's concession speech too. It was so classy. All I could think about was how much better it would be to listen to her for the next four years. And yes, there were tears.
This year I could not watch all the returns; which I usually do. Woke up maybe 3AM to see the results. I am devastated and ashamed. I am also very worried; what is the statement, "If he tells you who he is, listen to him"??? I fear the havoc and upheaval he will cause. I seriously fear a loss of many of our democratic processes. My BFF of 69 years says she "thinks our constitution and democracy will survive". That took her until last night. I'm not there yet.
I couldn't watch it all either, and I also woke up around 3am. Finally got up an hour later and turned on the news. I had been hoping for the incoming results to have dramatically changed things, but alas, the news was worse.
It's very troubling to think about the upheaval and potential chaos that is likely coming. I hope your friend is right. Thing is, a lot of damage can be done even if one survives - another cancer connection there, right? Might be an idea for a future piece. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate you. Take care of yourself.
Thank you Nancy for articulating so beautifully my feelings on the shocking outcome of an election that I had such hope for. I am grieving for our country and what could have been had Kamala Harris been elected instead of the convicted felon/insurrectionist. To say that I'm in shock doesn't come close to describing how devastated I feel. I am very frightened for what is coming.
Hi Holly,
I hear you and agree with everything you said. Like Stephanie wrote, we mourn and then we recalibrate. Fear and anger can be driving forces, too. Kamala would've made a great president. I'm disappointed and, okay, disgusted that so many voted instead for a man who is so deeply flawed, and completely unfit for the job. But here we are. Our voices will not be silenced. Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate you.
Hi Nancy, I will have to write a better comment on your excellent post, but right now I am grieving. Unlike the horrible 2016 election, I was not surprised this time. Deep down inside I knew Trump would win. It doesn't make it any easier. It was love for my country that made me vote for the best candidate. But right now I can't say I love my country. Hell, I don't even like it anymore. And so many Americans vote without using their brains.
As you know, I adopted my daughter from Communist China. I had hoped she would have a better life here in a democracy, only to watch her rights being stripped away.
I have gone from numb to acceptance to downright crying and depression. I don't know how to recover. And I don't have the wherewithal to be an activist.
Hi Beth,
I hear you. Your comment here is just fine, though of course, you are welcome to keep the conversation going. I was surprised this time. I was last time, too, but even more so this time. The crowds were so large and enthusiastic that I really thought we finally had a chance to turn the page on Trump. It seems a lot of fellow citizens don't want to. The thing I can't figure out is why the people who struggle the most economically vote against their own best interests.
I hope we can keep the House, but that is looking bleaker by the hour. My activism is here on Substack for now. I'm grateful for this space more than ever. I appreciate you. Take care of yourself. Glad you have your painting and writing!
Beth, I’m sending you hugs. Grieve, yes, but know we will get through this. It’s terrifying when you think of all the things he threatened during the campaign, but maybe the narcissist will be less vindictive now that he got what he wanted. 🤞🏽 Keep painting…
Thank you for the kind words of support, Alene. Hoping these next four years are manageable. I am painting tomorrow.
Nancy, thank you for your (and others') words of wisdom. It's a gut punch. I can't believe I'm going to have to listen to a red-faced bully for the next four years. I turned off the news yesterday and it remains off. I'm going to get my nails done. Pet the dog. Eat a hamburger.
Hi Christine,
I turned off the news, too. For the most part anyway. I am not going to watch constant Trump coverage for the next four years. I'll watch just enough to keep up on what's happening, but that's it. More Netflix and such around here, reading and lots of walks. And writing!
Hope you got your nails done and enjoyed that hamburger! Thank goodness for pet therapy, right? Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate you.
Thanks Nancy. As usual spot on. My primary feeling is exhaustion. Bone weary fatigue from constant diligent attention to this election season. Starting back at the convention. I've always been very involved in politics. I even bought Hilarys newest book as I already read her offering about 2026. Plus I stayed up far too late watching results and had barely slept at all the night before. I have been avraw bundle of nerves about this for so long I have no idea when it started any more. I do know that I have always abhorred the man and as he became more and more violent and oppositional I got more and more scared. I have a terminal cancer and I am a low income person relying on our social network to survive. When the candidates talked about their ideas for providing health benefits or stripping them it's not just part of their plan or strategy it's how long I do or don't live. I can or can't afford the medication and treatment that attempt to prolong my life. I was shocked and disappointed. I almost could not believe it was true as I opened my eyes this morning and immediately grabbed my phone laying in my bed where I had dropped it last night. The shock did not last long before the fear returned.
Hi Joyce,
Thank you for your kind words about my writing. So many of us are feeling that exhaustion. I'm sorry to hear you have terminal cancer which has to make you more fearful for the reasons you stated. I am not sure what the GOP plans are for healthcare. At this point, who knows. It is scary. I hope you feel supported here. It'll take awhile for the shock to wear off. This is grief we are feeling, and there are those very real stages - which, of course, aren't linear and have no finish date. We have to carry on, give ourselves grace, face each new day as best we can. And do what we can to support those who share our values. You aren't alone. Thank you for sharing so candidly. I appreciate you.
Never give up hope! Please do not let this affect you.
Well Nancy, today I mourn. I'm still a bit stunned to put it mildly. I too am disappointed that the majority of this country believes that a convicted felon, convicted rapist and a man who I consider dangerous and mentally ill is worthy of the title of President of the U.S. However, America has spoken and now we have to move on and try to make the best of it. I'm not ready yet, maybe tomorrow. I ate a lot previous to the election. Now I've lost my appetite and my words as well.
Hi Donna,
There are a lot of disappointed people out there. Unfortunately, too many voters did not want to turn the page on the convicted felon. Everyone knows he is unstable, unwell, and completely unfit for the job and yet...
Thank you for chiming in. Your comments always make me feel better. Knowing we're on the same page helps. I appreciate you. Take care of yourself. Hope you get your appetite back!
Nancy, you articulated my feelings so well. This win is even more horrifying than 2016 because it’s not a fluke. And it speaks to something terrible about this country. I also felt that he could win— my husband was certain that no one could vote for him, but I knew that they could and would. My daughter has been helping me process this, but it’s grief. And reasonable fear.
Hi Jan,
I'm glad my words resonated. It is more horrifying in many ways because now we know so much. I am so disappointed right now. I felt that Harris had a real chance to win, and she did keep it close. Learning that Trump won the popular vote, too, does indeed say something profound about our fellow Americans. It is grief indeed that we are feeling. Processing it all will take time. Thank you for being here. I appreciate you.
Nancy, my daughter works for a health policy group and she wrote me that most people--especially younger people--get their news from TikTok clips or Facebook posts and don't read the news critically. That is my observation also. So I feel that we are so siloed that the people who voted for him truly have a different version of the truth. As Tom Nichols wrote in The Atlantic yesterday, they wanted a rerun of their favorite reality show. As we process our grief, we should be so gentle and kind to ourselves and others.
This reminds me of the breast cancer experience--the limbo of waiting is over and now we're facing down a bad diagnosis and a new normal we didn't ever want.
Hi Jan,
Thank you for your additional comments. I don't know if that's a fair judgment or not about where younger people get their news. And what is considered a younger person anyway? We are indeed too siloed, that's for sure. I agree we need to be gentle and kind to ourselves and to others as well. I don't wish bad things for those who voted for Trump. After all, some are in my own family.
It's funny you mentioned that limbo of waiting. I actually had a post ready to go about that very thing - waiting for election results and tying it to the cancer experience of waiting. But the results came too fast! Then, I was going to plug the cancer connection into this post, but it started to seem way too long. Maybe I can still use the idea as we wait for Jan. It's all so distressing. Waiting is hard in some ways, but I am in no hurry either to see what the new administration will bring. But we'll get through it all together.
I hope that everyone who voted for trump gets what they deserve.
Adrienne,
I understand your frustration. Still, I can't and won't wish bad things for those who voted for Trump either. After all, I have Trump supporters in my family. I have had those moments though of utter frustration with them. I am most frustrated with white women. They let us down. It's hard to not be upset about that, and admittedly, I am struggling to not feel anger and bitterness toward that group.
Nancy, I must be too tired but I have tried posting twice and somehow my comment disappeared both times before I could finish! I will write my own post later, but know I am disappointed and sad, but hoping for positive things to come from this.
I’ve been coping today by stress cooking comfort foods, listening to Cuban jazz salsa music and dancing to it while cooking, giving belly rubs to my dogs, and letting myself cry during Kamala’s concession speech. And I talked with a like minded neighbor, which really helped. Thanks as always for your posts. ❤️
Hi Alene,
There must've been something wonky going on here on Substack yesterday because I tried commenting on Stephanie's post yesterday and had to try a half dozen times. It kept disappearing too. Glad yours worked here.
Your coping tools sound like good ones - especially giving belly rubs to your sweet dogs. I'm glad you were able to chat with a like-minded neighbor. That can be so helpful. Most of my neighbors probably voted for Trump. There are a sprinkling of Dems though. Husband and I were discussing this on our walk this morning thinking we wanted to check on ones we do sort of know to see how they're doing.
I watched Kamala's concession speech too. It was so classy. All I could think about was how much better it would be to listen to her for the next four years. And yes, there were tears.
Thank you for sharing. I appreciate you.
This year I could not watch all the returns; which I usually do. Woke up maybe 3AM to see the results. I am devastated and ashamed. I am also very worried; what is the statement, "If he tells you who he is, listen to him"??? I fear the havoc and upheaval he will cause. I seriously fear a loss of many of our democratic processes. My BFF of 69 years says she "thinks our constitution and democracy will survive". That took her until last night. I'm not there yet.
Hi Chris,
I couldn't watch it all either, and I also woke up around 3am. Finally got up an hour later and turned on the news. I had been hoping for the incoming results to have dramatically changed things, but alas, the news was worse.
It's very troubling to think about the upheaval and potential chaos that is likely coming. I hope your friend is right. Thing is, a lot of damage can be done even if one survives - another cancer connection there, right? Might be an idea for a future piece. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate you. Take care of yourself.
“We have a responsibility to hold to the power of love that we know to be true, and to not allow the world around us to deaden that in ourselves.”
(Lucas Johnson)
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for sharing the quote. I appreciate you.