While Our Children Slept - Their World Changed Forever

Last night, we tucked our boys into bed with a false sense of hope that when they awoke, we would have an opportunity to share with them something incredible. It was my hope that when they opened their eyes, a new world would have dawned where they would continue to feel safe and where the possibilities were truly endless as yet another glass ceiling had been shattered.

I named it as a false sense of hope because that's exactly what it was.

Our children awoke this morning, oblivious to the events which occurred while they slept. They had no idea that during the night, millions of people were celebrating a victory that the candidate they supported now claims. They had no idea that millions of people voted to support one man's rise to power on a platform of bigotry, misogyny, racism, shaming, pure ignorance and hatred.

They were asleep. Innocent. Safe.

They awoke not knowing that their family, one that loves them more deeply than they will ever comprehend, now begins to live into a future that is uncertain.

Because the man elected last night is a man who finds it acceptable to degrade millions of people simple because they are black, brown, female, Muslim, queer, differently-abled...and he is a man that has found millions of others who think the same.

How very disappointing!

I am disappointed in our nation, in the millions of people who believe that this man is somehow a model for our country... for our children.
I am disappointed in a system that has enabled millions of people to grow up thinking it is acceptable to treat others as less-than-human.
I am disappointed that generations of hard work enacted by so many on behalf of so many others is now about to be undone.

How incredibly scary!

I am fearful as to what it now means for our children to have someone elected that does not respect and is not willing to honor our marriage and therefore our family.
I am fearful for our children's future in a nation that now not only tolerates but celebrates bullying behaviors.
I am fearful for all of those who do not fit into society's boxes and therefore are seen as "other."

What will keep them safe?

For our children, and millions of others, their world WAS much safer yesterday than it is today. That's the reality!
Yes, our family has endured bullying behaviors, we've endured homophobia. We've seen how cruel some people can be when encountering differences in the world. And we've seen just how ignorant people can be. Yet I'm afraid the worst is yet to come and our children will be affected the most.

And I won't stand for that!
I won't be silent when the lives of those I love are under attack.
I will not look the other way.

And I pray that others will join me.

Because you see, it's not just about our children... it's about all children yet to fully comprehend the decision made by millions of adults...many of whom they look up to.

So I will commit myself, my work, my life to ensuring a safe place for all of these children.
I will dedicate my time and my energy to ridding their world of bullying, of ignorance, and of xenophobia.
I will continue to make promises to our children that no matter what is happening in the world, I will do everything I can to keep them safe.

And I will succeed! We will succeed! Our children will be safe!

Because...
   ...I believe in and worship a God that continues to encourage me... to encourage all of us to live in such a way that ignorance and hatred are overpowered by love and justice.
   ...I believe that when we encounter those moments in life that drain us or cause us to question our own safety, the God I worship enters in and tells us not to be afraid.
   ...I believe in and worship a God that is ever-present and one that does not dwell in darkness but gives us all the ability to cast it aside and prove time and time again that love prevails.

And as our children grow, I hope to introduce them to this God.
I hope to provide them with opportunities where they can learn to trust in something bigger than just themselves.
I hope to walk alongside them as they see how beautiful life can be when we love one another fully.

And then I will tuck them into bed at night with a true sense of hope for the days that come...for a time when love will prevail!