Post election 2016

I've been in mourning since the election. And, I'm not sure how to express why I am so sad, but here goes.

I grew up in the 70's. I was born to amazingly liberal parents who were devout Catholics, but believed above all in the tenets of Christ. Helping the poor, healing the sick, you get the drift. My mom has an award dedicated to her as well as a beautiful marble bench at the Church we all called home for decades.

My mom was in charge of the Social Justice Committee prior to her death in 2002. She and I would often have conversations about the concerns of others on the committee that some of these folks were 'double dipping'. As in going from one church to another to get such luxuries as soap, food, winter coats. The bastids. How dare they.

The thing that most worried me about my mom's Ministry? Is that as an elderly woman, she would literally get out of bed to meet with a young mom who needed diapers or formula at Stop and Shop, regardless of the hour or the weather conditions. I finally put a stop to that by giving the management there my credit card number so that when my mom got a call in the middle of the night, she could just direct the person who needed help to the store under that account and they would be fine. If it possibly prevented my mom from slipping and killing herself, it was money well spent.

What I am really mourning is that every edict I grew up with has been destroyed.  Apparently, treating the marginalized communities is a bad thing and I don't know how to digest that. My dad was a history major and one of my fondest memories of him is his visiting the Museum of the Confederacy here in Richmond. I dropped him off and picked him up several hours later. As someone who ONLY read historical non fiction, I was interested in his perspective. (I'd already come to my own conclusion). He was not a historian, but he was an amazingly brilliant man. He stated that night in my home over dinner that he feared a lot of misleading information was being distributed by the Museum, and judging by the enormous number of yahoos waving the Battle Flag of Northern Virginia ( which was never adopted by the Confederate States) I believe him.

I believe Trump is dangerous. I believe False News is dangerous. I am appalled at the number of college educated people who believe this dreck. And, selfishly, I am sorry for me. I have helped people who needed it for decades. If I hadn't? I would have a beach house on Maui. But I wanted to make a difference. I wanted my time here to matter. Yes, we have done well financially. Which is what I believe is a call from God to help others. Ya can't take it with you.

And, now? My entire purpose is done. And, I am bereft.