It’s been a tough week for everyone I know.  Our country, as we know it, has changed.  Whatever your individual politics may be, I think we can all agree that the President-Elect has said (and done) some hateful, hurtful things directed at many different groups of people.  In fact, his comments and actions directly impact my whole family.  The President-Elect has spoken negatively about women (me), African-Americans (my husband and son), the disabled (me), Jews (my son and I), and Muslims (my son’s former nanny).

The teacher in me came out as I tried to talk to my son about the three branches of government and the idea of checks and balances.  But I can’t help it — I’m scared.  I’m scared for the path our country is on; the path that half of my fellow Americans have chosen. 

Last year, my son wrote a letter to President Obama.  Months later he received a typed reply complete with President Obama’s signature, as well as a picture of the President and a signed picture of the First Family.

The letter and pictures were framed and proudly hang in my son’s bedroom.  They are there as proof that anything is possible.  That a man much like my son (a man with a black Daddy and a white Mommy) could grow up to become President of the United States.

That letter and photos will remain as reminders of where we were and where we can return. 

And needless to say, there will be no framed picture of our President-Elect hanging in my son’s bedroom.