Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
No Soup Today, Just Gratitude
I did not make soup today.
I’ve been known to make soup in times of crisis or disappointment, wounds of all kinds. But no soup today.
We went to bed last night before the final results. At 6:50 this morning, I steeled myself and looked at my phone. Right below the list of states gone haywire was a long analysis of how her campaign screwed up. She did this. She didn’t do that. Her aides said one thing, the campaign staff wanted something else. Her 109-day campaign to beat someone who’s campaigned for ten years and who has an unshakeable following that’s been simmering and waiting for this moment since he left office four years ago has to be picked apart. What did she do wrong?
She went for broke. And she took a lot of us with her. And hallelujah that we have such an extraordinary leader, a person that radiated joy and hope and straight-up ability. But she couldn’t pull it off. Trump Nation is bigger than any of us want to think. We figure it’s about a guy. It’s not. It’s about a culture.
So she failed, I guess, if you want to call it a failure. It’s more accurate to say that she tried to change the country in 109 days, and she fell short. In her failure, though, she made me proud to be a woman.
I’ve always been pretty feminist-forward. When I walk in a room I try to ‘be my tallest self,’ to muster up confidence and presence and gravitas even when I’m worried or afraid about what I’m doing. But that’s changed in the past 109 days.
Kamala Harris’ gift to me is her courage. I don’t have to pretend to be strong. I am strong.
So no soup making here. There is a stiff rum and coke and a couple of tears. No TV news for me either. No more perusing the national newspapers about their analysis of what happened. I’m cocooning here, thinking about dinner and whether we can find Ken Burns’ Civil War on PBS. I need to put patches on the scratched places, cover my wounds with soft things that won’t hurt.
We have to take care of ourselves, preserve our strength, you know, for what comes next.
24 Comments on “No Soup Today, Just Gratitude”
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Listen to Jan read her essay “Billy” presented on WUWM’s Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “At the Breakfast Bar” on WUWM Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “The Parish Hall,” on WUWM Lake Effect
“Fury Cannot Touch Me,” Modern Love, NYT, 9/29/11
She didn’t “fail.” She appealed to our better nature. But, here, almost 10 years later, we’ve been conditioned to hate rather than think.
This is so well said! And this line is how I feel: It’s more accurate to say that she tried to change the country in 109 days, and she fell short.
I don’t think she failed, but you’re right, he had a decade to stir the pot with a mind-blowing following. 109 days is no time at all, but in that time, she was awesome. I had made dinner for my husband and I, but wine was on the menu too, which usually isn’t during the week. Wine, tears, and shock…but humans have suffered, they have lost, they have fought, and they have won. So, the only direction to move into is forward with strength and perseverance for what comes next, like you said so well at the end. Thank you for this inspirational, honest post.
So well and wisely said, Jan… And so good to know I am not alone. (I had already made soup, but pretty much don’t feel like eating it)
Speaking of spirits, a form of therapy I was considering was going down to our local bar and having a few. But then I remembered that when I saw a Trump sign out front a few weeks ago I swore I would never go there again. So I guess any alcohol-related therapy will have to be done at home, as Jan is doing.
Our household and two more I have talked to are also avoiding the TV news. I mean, the news people can’t help it, but they will need to drone on about what we already know and just make us more depressed.
But try to cheer up everyone. We need to continue to work in ways possibly small to help fix our broken world. And part of the message of Kamala is you can do this with joy.
Jan, I agree with everything you and commenters are saying! Kamala gives confidence to all girls and women about what they can accomplish. Yes, I’m very worried about what the next four years hold, especially related to climate.
I would love to reblog this…it’s so well said
so well said, and I agree with every word. I watched her concession speech this afternoon, and she was a gracious as ever and following tradition and said she will not give up working toward a better country. lost the race but not the battle. wonderful in spite of everything, talk about grace under pressure. I am so proud of her and all she accomplished and like Kamala, I will not give up the fight. It feels like I’m mourning, but I know we are not done yet.
I guess the new plan will emerge – how to reorganize, rethink, and re-energize, but at the moment, I’m pretty blah.
Yes
I went to bed not feeling confident. I woke up somehow knowing what had happened even without looking. I have carried myself through lots of tough crap so this is not about me. Kamala was about hope for my Millennial kids and my granddaughters. The not knowing their future with this new precedent of Trump 2.0 and his cronies fills me with worry for them.
Trying to be forward thinking but not working so far.
I get that. A good portion of the planet is grieving right now.
The battle was lost, the war goes on, new strategy, new tactics.
Yes, you’re right but hard to see the path forward at the moment. Optimism seems to have evaporated for the moment.
Beautifully said. We will not forget Kamala.
Kamala took on an impossible task and ran a hell of a race. I’m proud to have supported her and I refuse to give into despair.
Where have you been, my friend!!??? So glad to see your smiling face. Hope you are doing okay and in the middle of your umpteenth book. 🙂
I’ve missed you!
My original fb account was hacked and compromised to the point that it was deleted! I’ve had to start from scratch there with a new profile and a new author page. It’s been pretty traumatic.
If I search FB for you – you’ll pop up? Or using a different name?
My new account is Leslie H Noyes and my author page is The Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort and More. I know that’s a mouthful, but I was hoping my followers might stumble onto it. So far, there haven’t been many stumblers. 🤷🏻♀️
Excuse me while I go stumble. 🙂
Thank you!!
I really don’t even have the words. I’m depressed, I’m speechless. And worries.
I know.