This is a shout out for some Peace.

Tomorrow is the day. And even in my excitement and awe that our nation is so close to electing this man who has given hope to so many people, I can't let go of the nagging dread of what will follow. More hate, more emails, more false accusations. Threats. Fear. Anger. Hate. I have tried to be respectful throughout this whole process, and keep the tension down from my end, but it is hard not to be defensive. I am not a socialist, and I'm not brainwashed. I won't go through all the reasons why I voted (yep, I wimped out before the big day) for who I did, because I think by now we have all made our choices. I just want anyone who reads this, Democrat, Republican, black, white, stranger, friend, or frenemy to consider that no matter who wins, we have to somehow find a way to come together. We are still neighbors, friends and relatives. I don't mean to be going all kumbaya on y'all... I know that if my chosen candidate doesn't get elected, it will sting. And if he does, it will, in some people's minds, be terrible. For me, I will be dancing in my living room at 3 am, but I know there are many who will be in despair. All I have been hearing for the past 8 years is "you don't have to like our president, but you should respect him". The people who have said that most likely do not support my candidate, so I wonder if that will be the case should he be elected? Does that only apply if the current president is who you chose? If McCain is elected to become our next prez, okay, I will think it sucks. I won't be happy. I may make comments like that he is older than the bendy straw. And if Obama wins, you can make fun of his ears. But I will not go around spreading true hate and anger, I won't. Not even if I think it would feel good. A little sarcasm and snarkiness, maybe, but I won't hate on him. I won't make up stories about him having a love child with Liz Taylor. (Although, click here for that story!)
As if my nagging feeling weren't annoying enough, now I come home from a lovely dinner at my in-laws with more news. My mother in law, who works the polls, bless her, told me that some people are advising parents to keep their kids out of school on Wednesday. It seems that if Obama wins, the black kids are going to go ballistic. And if Obama loses, the black kids are going to go ballistic. Wow. We were both amazed that it's like that here. Some counties aren't letting kids bring book bags to school this week. I'm sorry, I know it's an extremely important time in our history, but really? Is it still this way, really? How very sad.
I guess this is it. Be excited for your candidate. Be disappointed, even pissed off for a while if they don't win. But then get over it and look at our President and say, "Okay, man. I didn't choose you, but here you are. What's it gonna be?" Because spreading hate and anger are not going to do anything positive for our country. They just won't. Think about these people. They all have families that love them, no matter if you agree with them or not. I have heard some scary things in the last few days, and I can't even type it. It makes me sick. I need someone to tell me, from both sides, that you are thinking this way, too. Someone who is not voting with me to meet me halfway and let me know that either way, we are sticking together. I love this country, and I want so much to feel like we are all connected. I don't want to be disillusioned by the negativity that we are facing. Let's just DO THIS THING.
So, who's with me? Anyone?