It is a new day; the sun has risen once again above the horizon. Nature’s polls were 100 percent correct. They always are, ignorant of the temporal polls of mere mortals and our shifting sentiments.

I am thankful that something remains the same and conducts its business regardless of my condition. Today I need this comfort as I absorb the shock of the unimaginable. The forecast of morning rain promises to provide camouflage for my wailing; although I fear I will be an over-match for a mere drizzle. In the afternoon, I will have to do something with a reality that will remain when the sun peaks through the clouds.

I have no illusions that bigotry, racism, misogyny, and a whole host of ills have been given license to bully and maim. They have. And now I have a choice beyond the ballot box and mail-in vote. I can choose to accept, ignore, or act.

Yes, I have to accept the will of the people. And yes, I will remain a citizen – likely punctuated with frequent trips to Canada for fresh air. No, I will not put my head in the sand; there is very little air there and no light. What I will do is give myself the grace of time for grieving and space for reflection. Then, I will double down on the belief I hold deep in my bones, that love ultimately wins.

But beliefs are not enough. I have to wrestle with my fears of what this new day brings with its clarion cry for change that is a strange mix of rosy retrospection for a way of life that was good – at least for an idealized few – and bitter for so many, entwined with an in-your-face bombastic disregard for truth, respect, and diplomacy at home and abroad. I have found no empathy in the face of this new day, no compassion and no love beyond narcissism of self. I am appalled and saddened that as a country we could not muster the grit to utter “You’re fired!” to callousness even as we failed to lift up an electable option.

Now, and in the days and years to come, I have to find the courage to love — love that is larger than self and is capable of holding all, all of this and all of us. I want to curse those who say it means more when it is hard to do. The easy way would be to hide my hurt and fear behind a mask of cynicism or get lost in obsessive focus of busyness at work or home, but I am called to do more. If I truly believe that love is the answer, then I must be that love, even now.

I cannot do this alone. I need you. We need each other. This is a “we” moment that requires us to bring our best selves to the monumental task of healing and finding hope. Experience tells me that the birth pangs of healing begin when we breathe deeply and gather together. In that moment, hope is also born anew.

Nature has its cycles of death and renewal. On this day, the sun rose once again. It will tomorrow as well. Just like us. Because we must. Love always wins.

Blessings and peace,

Rev. Marian Stewart, Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church in Kirkland