Woke up at five this election day morning. Fired down some Tylenol, fired up the car, grabbed some coffee, and began to chase down the moon. Went from field to hilltop and back again for the wonder of a sunrise red eclipsed moon.
Was not the only one. The parking lot at the town's highest look out point was filled the first time I arrived, so headed west looking for a clear view, then circled back in time for the moon to play coy and hide behind the morning's few pop-up clouds. Parked the car, got out and stood there - the moon hidden on one side, the sunrise painting a glorious sky on the other - and laughed.
Reminded, yet again, that we are not in control, no matter how much we wish.
All we can do is the best we can and give thanks for the gifts every day brings.
Going to hold to that on this election day.
No matter the results of this election, we go on. It’s what the long fight for justice has always been. That is all we can ever do. I will not allow the thankful heart to be taken. That way is despair.
I will not allow thieves to take my joy. I will not allow destroyers of decency to take my courage. That is what they want. I will not allow it.
That choice is always ours.
Those thoughts flashed through my mind this morning when in spite of all my efforts, I was never able to get the binoculars out. I remembered the lessons other battles won and lost have taught and let go.
Others will be voting with us today; others will share better views of the moon’s eclipse through their photography.
I was able to stand and delight in the in-between this morning, then headed home into the sunrise. Keep the faith. No matter today’s outcome, we go on to rise into another day.
We go on, standing on the shoulders of giants who came before. I’ll be voting in honor of them later today. I’ll be voting for my children’s and grandchildren’s futures. I’ll be voting for this beautiful blue world. Millions will be doing the same.
We are not alone.