It wasn't till I heard Joe Biden's acceptance speech on Saturday night that I realized just how desperately I have missed common decency.
His words were like a healing balm on the painful, open sores that our current leader has inflicted upon us for 3 plus years. I smiled with tears in my eyes as he implored us all to put differences aside, to see, to listen and to cooperate with one another. God, he made it sound so doable.
He kind of made me want to go out and hug a Republican if hugs were not a dangerous thing to do with anybody because of Covid.
My neighbor, who is a life long Republican though not an avid Trump supporter, said it well. "He lost, it is over and we need to get on with it. End of story" She is quite pragmatic.
That impressed me for I had not been nearly as accepting in 2016.
She has been a true friend to me. She calls me almost every single day to see how I am doing and to make sure I haven't fallen and can't get up. We laugh, talk about family, the Covid crisis, our pets and very rarely politics. It is a welcome call.
I also have family members who are staunch Republicans so maybe that is why I tend to practically ignore political leanings when viewing the whole person. Yeah Joe, this might be doable.
Now all we have to do is get to Jan. 20th without the current tenant trashing the WH in anger.
Regardless, I will relax my colon till then and look forward to a kinder, smarter, gentler, and caring 4 years.
Hello world, America is back, or soon will be.
Now let us whip this Covid critter into submission and get a bit of our lives back.
Feeling full of hope today. How about you?
Yes, the same, Olga. I feel like I can breathe again... and let myself hope. My friend (a Trump supporter) and I Skyped yesterday. She isn't ready to concede any more than Trump is... and it's hard to understand how we can be such good friends - yet feel so differently politically. But we won't let it interfere with our friendship. It's a choice that works for us.
ReplyDeleteRian,
DeleteTotally understand your friendship and hope you can keep the important parts of that relationship viable. There is so much more to life than politics.
Isn't it a pleasure to listen to President Biden speak. My husband and I both feel like a sort of weight has been lifted from us. It is such a relief to have a thoughtful president.
ReplyDeletesusie,
DeleteCouldn't agree more. I loved his inclusion of the Republicans and desire to work for all of us. I feel like I can breathe again.
Patti, you said it—and you said it beautifully too. (I’m sending this to my sister and 3 friends of mine :) I’m very glad I know you, and I’m very grateful we have decent people like Joe Biden & Kamala Harris going to Washington. PS. I admit it, I love Joe but I love his wife too—I would’ve been just as happy if she’d run & won!
ReplyDeleteDoug,
DeleteThank you so much my friend. Smiled and agreed about Jill. She really is a class act isn't she?
I really feel the same sense of relief, too, because decency is back and the rest of the world is seeing the best in us again. It's going to take some time but it's so nice to know we'll have a working government again!
ReplyDeleteIn 2016 I accepted Hillary's loss but I wasn't happy about it. Now, my Trump supporting in-laws are making it clear through their Facebook posts that they don't accept this election, think it was rigged and they will fight with Trump all the way to the Supreme court. He's tweeting them to stand by to help... Three months ago my old house cleaner predicted we were going to have a second Civil War if he lost. I seriously doubt it but I would expect a few people like my in-laws to end up in jail for trying to start one on Trump's behalf.
Jean,
DeleteSadly there are some who will gladly resort to violence to vent their anger. We just had the chief of police in a small town west of me in Arkansas resign as he used social media to encourage death to Democrats. That is scary.
Personally, I vowed that whoever won, I would live with it. And, personally, I still miss Bush.
ReplyDeleteAnni,
DeleteI have only good thoughts about the character of the Bush family. I really liked H W's humanitarian nature. Amazing how he and Clinton became friends working towards the same goals. Who didn't love Barbara? And W was one of the first to congratulate Biden. Class act.
I burst into tears -- so the chants of make liberals cry again were realized -- but they were tears of joy and relief. I didn't even realize how much I have been holding in for the past four years but I have been actually sick as the knot of dread is starting to release.
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteI know. My health has deteriorated these past 3 plus years and I was blaming it on aging. Oddly how much better I have felt lately. Now we can breathe easier.
I have been afraid of a civil war, too, since the country is so divided. But Joe and Kamala are steady hands and I know they will make the best decisions for the country. Sending you some virtual hugs! :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteIsn't it comforting to now be able to relax and not feel so tense all the time? Thank you so much for the hugs. I miss them more than seeing the bottom half of a person's face.
Half of my family is for OSU (Oklahoma State University) and the other half for OU (Oklahoma University). We have learned to be a house divided. This Presidential election was the same way. We agreed to disagree and while we were divided we now come together in the same love.
ReplyDeleteGranny Anni,
DeleteThat is a perfect analogy. A difference of opinion or loyalty does not define the whole person. It is just a difference. Love and friendship should so out weigh one opinion.
I share your relief, Patti, and I'm only a Canadian neighbour. I'll no longer switch channels when your new POTUS appears. Just wish all of Trump's angry supporters would calm down and accept the change.
ReplyDeleteFlorence,
DeleteI know our politics of the past term have put our neighbors and allies on edge as much as us. I am so happy you can all breathe easier now and not have to fear the unstable Americans. Think it will be unsettled for a while but feel it will calm down and the world can worry less along with us.
Yes it is a new dawn, thank God.
ReplyDeletegigi,
DeleteAmen. The relief is almost palpable.
There has been a sigh of relief that went around the world when it was announced Biden had one. Like someone else said, I don't need to change the tv channel (or at least as often). Biden is measured and sensitive in his speech, and while I understand he may have said or done things in the past he's obviously learned and grown. Oh, and we in Canada can claim a piece of Kamala Harris - did you know she graduated from high school in Montreal?
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit worrisome with Trump whipping up his supporters with his claims of fraud. I hope the courts deal with him quickly!
Take care, stay well!
Eileen,
DeleteDid not know that about Kamala. Glad you have a claim to her also. She has make history.
I know Canada has not rested easy these past 4 years. Not too many people have. So happy it is over--or will be in a little over 2 months. Ahhhh.
Yes! Yes! Hello World America is back. I love that. We have hope. We're nervous about what will happen over the next 72 days (countdown to inauguration), but we have hope! What a feeling that is. I missed it these past four years.
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteIsn't the relief amazing? Didn't realize how it was weighing on me till it was lifted. Now if we can just get through these next 72 days. Should be a piece of cake after the past 3 plus years.
I am not there yet. I am so thankful Biden won. His and Kamala speeches made me smile for the first time in a long time. But this guy will do so much damage before he leaves and that scares the hell out of me. He will take credit for any covid vaccine, he will do more damage to our country - trust me on this. I can't breathe yet. It makes me so sad.
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteWe just have to believe that nothing he does can't be undone by Joe with executive orders. I have faith.
Wonder if he still wants to be put on Mt. Rushmore?
I'm very pleased Biden won but a little concerned as he's not a great fan of the UK, and who can blame him with Boris Johnson and Brexit. 2 things I never voted for.
ReplyDeleteJoey,
DeleteIsn't it maddening to have to live with something you didn't vote for. Hopefully the UK will soon be free of Johnson.
I haven't heard anything about Joe not being a fan but we do know Trump had no use for all of Europe--actually none for any country that wasn't the US. Such relief.
It is so nice to see some decency again. It has been sorely mmissed.
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeleteOh my, yes it has been missed. We were spoiled I guess and just expected it.
I cried happy through Biden's and Harris's speeches. So relieved. How wonderful it will be to have a functional Whitehouse again.
ReplyDeleteCelia,
DeleteMe too on the happy tears. Now we can once again be proud of our country and not have to make excuses for our leader.
I am still working to overcome my anger at the Trumpsters and all of their lies, which still continue, refusing to accept the outcome of the election and even convincing themselves that it will be overturned, because HE said so. I need to stop paying attention to them, including family members, and find the joy you all are expressing in Biden's victory.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteI try to believe that a lot of the Republicans were in for the party and not so much Trump. That thought lets me sleep at night.
Yes, yes, yes! I was teary too when I listened to his very gracious, eloquent speech. It's been such a long time since we've heard a inclusive, unifying speech. But, I won't rest easy until January 20th.
ReplyDeleteKay,
DeleteI know it seems a long time off and he can still do damage but I feel that Joe can negate most of what damage he may do via executive orders once he is in.
From the other side of the world, I too am full of hope and still smiling from Hearing Joe Biden's speech.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteI so feel for the countries that were affected by that man's decisions and had no control over his staying in office or being booted out. Glad we were able to get it right.
We sure do agree with you.
ReplyDeleteMage,
DeleteJump in Mage the water is fine.
I'm trying, Patti, but it's so hard to not get tied up with Trumps disgusting lack of care for the country that we all love. January 20th can't come soon enough for me.
ReplyDeleteGinnie,
DeleteIt does seem so far away doesn't. We will get there.
Biden's speech was hopeful, positive and uplifting. There were no put downs or criticism, which was refreshing. I am still very apprehensive about what the next few months hold with the transition, Trump's erratic and childish behavior and COVID19. It's hard for me to relax at all these days! I avoid talking politics with my brother in his wife since they are Trumpers. It's hard to reconcile my love for them with their apparent world view. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteThese will be a few tough months to get through but the worst is over. There is a lot of work to be done yet.
I don't ever discuss politics with my siblings. I just say, "Let's not go there."
I hear all you are saying but I will reserve my accolades until after he has served four years to see what state our economy and country is in then.đź’–
ReplyDeleteSusan,
DeleteYou are right. He still has to prove himself and his feet will be held to the fire to fix what is broken.
Right now we are just wallowing in relief.
It has been stressful and exhausting, for me as well because I had to drive twice from Nashville to Atlanta (1000 miles) to vote because I never received my absentee ballot. But it was worth it – I am so proud of Georgia. Of course some Georgians are not – one of them came to my last post and wrote a nasty comment. It is hard for them to stop believing all the lies. I’m fortunate that no one in my family is Republican; we texted because I can’t see them on account of the virus. I did obtain a “Canadian emotional support person.” I commented on the stress on a blog and she came an offered to email me, which was so nice and helpful.
ReplyDeleteVagabonde,
DeleteI hope you know just how proud and delighted all of us are by Georgia's historic vote to put Trump out of business. You personally went the extra miles, all 1000 of them. Georgia turning blue gave me hope that we are a country where the largest portion of us are good people and now we can get busy trying to correct all the havoc he caused.
Thank you.
Dear Patti, with regard to the political scene, I must admit to not feeling very hopeful. It seems to me that so many of us--and I include myself here--have a tendency to get outr identity from what we aren't. "We aren't this or that . . . or Republican . .. or Democrat." We--myself included--so often think in terms of how we differ from those who see the world differently from us. I want to post about this because I can see in myself the seeds that promoted division--the way I sometimes judge others and question their motives and yes, even shame them for thinking this or that. I'm hoping that I can find the clarity of thought that's necessary to post something that reflects the deep, down "sameness" in us all. Not sure I can especially with what's happening with my friends and their health. But I want to try. You always inspire me because you have such an open heart. I see you as a female Joe Biden--a gentler version of humanity. Peace.
ReplyDeleteDee,
DeleteSorry you don't have the hope also. We do have a deep division to heal yet. Guess it is my Pollyanna nature. BTW, thank you for what I consider to be a really nice compliment.
It is interesting to see how other countries react. I'm surprised there wasn't dancing in the streets knowing they wouldn't have to deal with him anymore.
ReplyDeleteYes, i, too, have hope for our future but I'm sure some disappointments are ahead — two steps forward and one step back —a roller coaster ride. Meanwhile, i try to be patient.
ReplyDelete