As a Montana democrat, like many, I awoke heavy hearted yesterday. It looked like we took a beating here in Big Sky Country on candidates and initiatives that matter to us. My daughter—who was charting the election results Tuesday night—fought tears learning about the fate of Senator Tester (who her daddy first canvassed for back in 2006). When I showed up to my coffee shop writing perch for my morning session I saw two of the regulars, older conservative men who I’ve befriended over the years—or perhaps who’ve befriended me—discussing the results, clearly encouraged, celebrating their wins. Licking my wounds, I sat down with them, and for forty-five minutes we talked politics, life, family, core values. There is nothing about our politics that align, but when we were done, we exchanged handshakes and a hug.  There were some big wins for the democrats Tuesday night, and some heavy losses. But regardless of party affiliation, it’s so important that we remain civil, and hopeful. That’s the message I shared in my daughter’s lunch note yesterday.

“We can handle a Tester defeat. It would a blow, a big blow. But we can deal. We just adapt, regroup, hunker down, spread love, share our hearts, inspire people, make them think, smile, shake hands, give hugs, work hard, exercise, eat good food, read good books, listen to good music, and we fight, and we hope, and we hope and we fight.”

When I received a text from my mom that only 50% of THE ZOO (Missoula) had been counted at 9 AM, I knew the narrative had changed, that our democratic senator would take the win. Game, set, match. I visited daughter at lunch to share the good news.

There is so much vitriol and hate and fear in our politics today, in our society, on social media, but we the citizenry, we the people, we can be and do better. We can be fiery and feisty and fight for the causes that we believe in without dehumanizing and demeaning others. There’s a lot of anger and hate out there right now, but there is also a lot of love and hope. Keep spreading it my friends, keep spreading it.

With nothin’ but love, MWL