Fired Up and Ready to Go

The last 24 hours have been a roller coaster of emotions. Not the good kind where you're waving your hands in the air next to your best bud and your tears and screams are those of joy, but the kind where you're turned upside down and you almost scrape the ground sideways and returning your lunch is imminent.

As I sat down to watch the election results with my father, a Muslim immigrant and ardent feminist, I truly believed, with all my heart, that humanity, justice and progress would prevail. I truly did. And he did, too. We kept our Hillary logo shot glasses, with the words "Made from 100% shattered glass ceiling" nearby and planned to take a drink of wine every time CNN declared a state blue. 

As the numbers for Florida came in (rather early in the evening, mind you), my heart started to sink. My stomach started to knot. My smile started to fade. I had a bad feeling. I looked at my father and said, "I'm scared."

And then Ohio ... and then North Carolina ... and then ... and then ...

By 1:30 a.m., my hope was all but lost. I couldn't believe what I was watching. The group texts among family and close friends were grim. There was no more to say, no more to do. I went to sleep, crying into my pillow, with Jasmine by my side (because dogs, along with laughter, which I had none of, are the best medicine).

This morning I sat in silence for my entire commute. Upon arriving at work, I was greeted with hugs and understanding and camaraderie. We all felt the weight of what had just happened. We all felt the uncertainty of the future of our great nation, and particularly of the women and children we serve - the immigrants and refugees escaping violence who turn to the U.S. for safety and solace. We came together for lunch, 30 of us, to reflect and pray and lock arms in unity.

So yeah, it was a crappy day. And there will be more crappy days to come. But you know what - there will be great days, too. Because, as our dear Hillary says, "If we stand together and work together with respect for our differences, strength in our convictions and love for this nation, our best days are still ahead of us ... let us have faith in each other, let us not grow weary, let us not lose heart, for there are more seasons to come and there is more work to do."

Damn right. I've been grieving all day. But you know what else I've been doing? Getting FIRED UP. Getting READY for the next step. You thought I was an outspoken activist before? You ain't seen NOTHIN' yet. I am ready to fight, every single day, for what I believe in. Because "fighting for what's right is worth it." Thanks, Hill. Thanks for showing women like me that we are "valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world." I know I'm not alone. I know there are women and men who feel just as passionately about the issues, just as fiercely about progress and just as confidently about our bright future. That, in and of itself, gets me FIRED UP and READY TO GO.

One of the Lucky Ones

The truth is, I am one of the lucky ones. Tomorrow's election results will not have a huge impact on how I live my day-to-day life, nor am I in any real danger of having pieces of my life stripped away.

I use my voice - and my vote - for our children who deserve a world still in bloom and world leaders who believe in the reality and urgency of climate change.

I use my voice - and my vote - for women seeking reproductive health care, women recovering from sexual assault, women fighting for equal pay.

I use my voice - and my vote - for families fleeing violence in war-torn countries who are seeking a life of safety and dignity, with the opportunity to reach their full potential as citizens of this planet.

I use my voice - and my vote - for the 50 million people who, for one reason or another, in their greatest time of need, benefit from government assistance and social programs.

I am one of the lucky ones. I have the privilege of using my voice - and my vote - for others who have lost their own. Or who never had theirs to begin with. Or who simply can't find the right words.

Before you go vote tomorrow, I hope you take a moment to think about who you are voting for ... what you are voting for ... and why it matters.