Outside

We have just gone through one of the most remarkable and monumental events of this country’s history. The recent presidential election proved to be a moment that will forever remain as distinguished and indelibly marked as a pivotal time in America’s powerful history. There was a rallying and level of involvement that has not been seen in modern history. There were daily, and what seemed to be hourly updates, comprehensive coverage, and continual events. People were discussing it. People were debating it. People were arguing about it. Whatever the case, people were engaged. Whether in church, at school, at work, at home, or anywhere else, it was a topic of interest. Significant interest. Regardless of if one was a republican, democrat, independent, or new to the whole process, it was a focus. Our focus. Not just this country’s, but others as well. Around the globe people watched, waited, and wondered. It was a changing event. The world looked on. However, here in America, the energy was intense. People who had no political interest were not just tuning in, they were becoming educated, knowledgeable, and wise. They were forming opinions and swaying minds. With all that was occurring, despite ones age, religion, education, marital status, economic status, gender, race, etc. it was a thrilling and miraculous time to be here – to be an American.

Now, imagine all of this going on, and not being able to be fully engaged. To be capped. To be limited. To be contained. For reasons that I cannot fully expound on here and now, I was not able to be fully engaged. I was capped. I was limited. I was contained. I was not restricted physically or mentally. I was able to discuss, debate, and argue. I watched the updates, coverage, and events. I was interested. However I could only go so far when the choice was decided. When the ultimate decision was made. When the votes were cast. Due to something that occurred when I was much younger and relied on the guidance of someone who proved to have been wrong either innocently or by design, the exercising of my choice, of my will, of my voice, of my vote has been lost to me. During this historic period of profound change in our country’s history, I was without a voice to make change. The victory of this new president was both sweet and bitter.