Writing a few sentences each week, adding pictures, this blog has been my way to look back and and make sense of the things I’ve done and seen, the people I’ve been with, the time I’ve spent. Bad things do happen, I’m tired or angry or even bored, but each week, no matter what else has been happening, I’ve always been able to sit down, look back and find the good.
I won’t lie to you, the election did not go the way I had hoped. And even though it wasn’t all black, still, I’m having trouble finding the light. So this week, instead of looking back I’m going to look forward.
I believe this with all my heart, that we are our government. It may not always feel that way, we have to compromise with so many, but in the end we can, if we want, be part of the process, inch ourselves forward and find a path for all of us.
If we can all agree to pay attention and if we see something we can’t support, we’ll say something. If no one is listening, we’ll write letters. If that’s not enough, we’ll volunteer where it is needed. And when we’re not able to, so that others can continue the work, we’ll send money. We’ll do all that, in whatever way we can to fight to find our way to the good.
Leon Cohen:
I did my best, it wasn’t much
I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch
I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I’ll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
From the man himself
Or this beautiful version from Pentatonix
The election didn’t go the way I wanted either. While saddly watching Sectry Clinton’s concession speech I noticed one of her team sitting in the front row had a jacket on very similar to the jackets you create. Black, 3/4 length with all your wonderful white skinny strips falling into a dense pile at the hem of the jacket. The jacket was very striking. I wish the woman had been wearing it for a celebration! I look forward to your posts and pictures of your amazing creations!
I noticed that coat too! … and thought the same thing about the specialness of that choice and the sadness that was now a part of the woman wearing it. Art, design, our ability to notice how others feel and express themselves, is taking on new more critically important meaning to me. I will endeavor to use my ability to express myself powerfully and with love in the face of what appears to be fear, hate, and intolerance for differences.
You are not alone. All of my friends and family feel the action we need is exactly what you mentioned. It’s so hard to believe this outcome, that love did not conquer. So we will have to love harder and smarter. And none of us have the luxury of sitting idlely by anymore. Thank you Ann for your post. I’m with you!
Thank you for your lovely comments. I completely agree. And thank you so much for your link to Pentatonix – SO BEAUTIFUL.
You put words to my thoughts. Thank you.
Oh, Ann – you know my heart aches, too. SNL had the same thought you did, so Kate McKinnon dressed as Hillary did a version of Hallelujah.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG-_ZDrypec
Still delighted that you are working on my dress to wear to the White House Christmas Party!
I don’t think I’ve ever started out watching Saturday Night Live with tears in my eyes, but I did last night.
I’ve been humming that song since Thursday and what a great use on the show.
Very poignant and lovely.
Xo, Elisabeth
Ps the Pentatonix version is a knockout!
I like and appreciated your “Go High” post, Ann. Millions of us are with you!
There is a slim chance the election result can be changed. A petition asks Electoral College Electors to vote for Hillary Clinton 12/19/2016 at http://www.change.org/p/electoral-college-electors-electoral-college-make-hillary-clinton-president-on-december-19?recruiter=632296859&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=share_twitter_responsive. Over 4.2 million have signed it already.
I am grateful to read these comments. Thank you all for writing. It’s good to know we are in this together.
And Thank You Judith and Elisabeth for the heads up on the SNL Hallelujah, I had no idea. I guess that song was in the air. A perfect expression of where we are.
I couldn’t vote, I’m Canadian. Nevertheless I was dismayed beyond words. Ann, your advice reaches across borders – it applies here in Canada, too, as we take up the battle against screening immigrants for some illusive “Canadian values” on which we Canadians can’t agree! It’s already defining the conservative leadership campaign and if that candidate wins it will dominate the discourse here for the next three years. I hope we can battle the xenophobia more successfully.
This was so touching. I re-posted it — with full credit to you as a source — on my Facebook page.
The candidate I voted for is our President elect and I am very excited to see the direction he will take us in. The Democrats have held the White House for 8 years and now the Republicans will be in office. It’s a pendulum really. Nothing more, nothing less. Not really worth all this poetic whining. You see enough voting Americans are not better off than they were 8 years ago, and that’s the vote. It’s going to be OK ladies, hang in there. The cool thing for you is you’ve got Donald Trump to complain about for the next 8 years.
To Patsy, I’m troubled to see that you’ve called my heartfelt words, “poetic whining” [well, maybe not the “poetic” part, thank you for that] and although past actions are the best indicator of future performance, I do appreciate your optimism for our future and most definitely hope you are right.
Thank you, Ann, for your heartfelt words. I also believe that taking action is the best response to defeat. And yes, paying attention is crucial!
Leonard Cohen’s song is truly amazing and inspirational…and all the more since he recently died at 82. I so agree with your thoughts, Ann: thank you for sharing, poetics and all! I say Brava!