Donald, You’ve Taught Me So Much Already
Dear Mr. Trump,
I am writing to you in appreciation for what I’ve learned about myself and our country since a couple of short Tuesdays ago when you became President Elect.
If I’ve learned deep and abiding lessons already, the impact of the next several years promises to be pretty amazing, that’s for sure, because things have only just begun. The train hasn’t even left the station.
When I woke up the morning after the election, Mr. Trump, I learned that more 
people in the U.S. believe what you believe than I thought.
This didn’t depress me or throw me sideways, but I have to say it was surprising, even enlightening. I decided that I must be a little out of touch with how my larger community of brothers and sisters is feeling.
I asked myself, “Do I live in a bubble?”
My sweet home near Asheville, NC is a community of people who tend to be inclusive and accepting. My friends, neighbors and Asheville people in general are kind and personable. They want simple things like loving relationships, and time to enjoy nature, the great outdoors, and animals. They are mostly business-brainy, hands in the soil, creative types who blossom and thrive, and hope others do as well.
My friends are the type who appreciate every color of the rainbow, so to speak.
Your victory made me wonder about the people who voted for you. In essence, do they want the same things as the people I know around here? (The key word being “essence.”)
Or do they want different things? I also wonder what your supporters expect from you, specifically and in their own words, over a cup of tea and a crumpet.
I also wonder what they believe about themselves.
And finally, I wonder if we’re miles and miles apart, or there’s some common ground.
I’m not quite sure why so many smart people are spending valuable time and energy these days being afraid of what’s to come. For one thing, worrying is a little like paying interest on money you haven’t yet borrowed.
Although being afraid is an understandable and common human experience, it doesn’t help anything or anyone. I’ve learned this by being a shaking leaf myself from time to time.
I’ve also learned that living in fear often makes the very thing we’re afraid of come true because we tend to get what we pay attention to, whether we want that thing or not.
SO MANY EMOTIONS!
Other friends of mine are depressed and down in the dumps since November 8. Some are grieving. Some are angry. Writer Anne Lamott said, “Tell me what breaks your heart and I will tell you your purpose.” Maybe these devastated people will find their true calling as a result of you being elected.
Wouldn’t that be interesting if a lot of good came out of something they view as terrible? Maybe there’s a silver lining for them.
Still others are resentful, saying the election was an unfair fight. At somewhere around 10 years old I had a fight with my older brother, and I learned that fights are not by nature either fair or fun. It seems to me that quite a few people in this world grew up with siblings, or have been in a fight personally, and would surely have learned this, too.
But again, my bubble problem rises to the surface. Apparently I’m out of touch with the pulse of my larger human family. I clearly have a lot to learn.
The people I call friends who are upset about the election are strong people. Good people. Loving people. They didn’t vote for you, Mr. Trump, in the booth, but I wonder if they remember the other way to vote.
A most powerful and influential vote is cast when a group of like-minded people who know who they are, conduct their daily business with love.
It seems to me that results of any possible shenanigans going on, say for instance, in the houses of government in Washington, DC, would pale in comparison to the effect of hundreds or thousands of loving people being who we are, standing in who we are, expressing who we are.
Maybe it’s the Quaker in me, but I believe that being calm in the storm, when violence or ugliness breaks out for instance, is the sane thing to do.
The moment I become the thing I hate, I’ve lost my power completely. I cannot help anyone, let alone myself.
ONE SURPRISE INVITES ANOTHER
A couple of weeks ago, you surprised many U.S. citizens by winning the Electoral College vote. Over the next four years, “we, the people” might very well surprise you back. Who knows how this relationship with you will turn out. There are so many possibilities.
Maya Angelou said, “Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.”
I’m writing to let you know, Mr. President Elect, that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to trust love one more time.
Blessings to you and your family and Happy Holidays,
Terri Crosby
Pat Johnson
My dear Terri,
You have done it again. What a beautiful message.
Much love and many hugs,
Pat
Terri Crosby
Thank you, Pat. And thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it!
Joyce
Incredible! Thank you for your ‘HIGHER PERSPECTIVE’.
Terri Crosby
Thank you, Joyce. I appreciate you saying a few words in return. It’s nice to hear how the message is landing.
Gary Smith
You never cease to amaze me! A well said statement.
Terri Crosby
Thank you, Gary! Thanks for writing. It’s always nice to hear from people after writing!
Holli
Absolutely on point! Love your statement:
“worrying is a little like paying interest on money you haven’t yet borrowed.”
I can just see you and Ted in an argument, especially coming from two intelligent and passionate individuals! xoxo
Terri Crosby
Holli, thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the blog. Yes, the fight with Ted was quite something. I remember we drew blood (the only time I remember that happening) and I remember standing by our wood burning stove afterwards. Maybe Mom made us stand there together and get over ourselves, I don’t remember!
Diane Hammar
Thank you for expressing so eloquently what we’re all thinking.. Perfect!
Terri Crosby
Thank you for letting me know, Diane. I appreciate it!
Geri
Dearest Terri,
So well said!! You have said perfectly what is on so many minds right now.!!! We are all adjusting to this new world we now live in …….we will stay the course and continue loving as we always do because love always wins!!!
Hugs
Geri
Terri Crosby
Thank you Geri! Yes, keep being who you are! Nothing about that has changed.
shiner
This is great, the letter format is so fitting to what you deliver. Thanks!
Terri Crosby
Thanks, Shiner!
Nancy Newlin
Terri,
Your post took me back to a similar situation in my life:
Many years ago, when I was working as a librarian in Bakersfield, California, prop 13 passed and the result was that I lost half my staff at the branch library I was managing. A group of present and former library workers got together to rant and rave and bemoan the results of that proposition passing, but by the second meeting of that group—which had no purpose other than to rail against what happened—I decided not to join them again. The deed was done, couldn’t be undone, and therefore I saw that for me the only course was to go forward. So not much longer after that, having met some people at a workshop from the northern part of the state, and knowing that the library management hierarchy was going to hang onto their jobs until they died in the saddle, I cashed in my retirement savings and headed off to the Bay area in search of a job in the upcoming computer/electronics industry. And that’s where I spent the rest of my 30+ years in California.