This piece I wrote Nov 10th, 2016 came up in my memories today - thought I would share here ---

I had no idea what the next four years would bring. Rereading my words now and thinking about all that came after, I am saddened but not surprised. Now, hopeful but not naïve. Still, heart strong xo *********

Here's the thing, the truth is I'm not really a political person. I am woefully ignorant and wary of politics. I keep my life pretty simple and just try to be kind. I've got two wolves at my feet - one is called hate, the other kindness - I choose to feed kindness. I know what it is like as a kid to be called a jap, to be sneered at or called dirty, to be told to go back to my country (my great-grandparents came to the US from Japan in 1918; the welsh/german/armenian side is unknown but they weren't seeing those parts) ... I have many examples but each time was just a few people doing the name-calling, the most being maybe 10 (that time in Ohio when at the bus stop, school was called out for snow and one kid yelled, "let's have a snowball fight" and we all happily responded YEA!!! Then another yelled, "Japs against the Americans!" and they all - en masse, no discussion - ran across the street laughing as I stood there bewildered and then deeply sad. They "seemed" like my friends before but their true faces came out that day. The next day, I came back alone but unafraid (well, a little) and I held my head up - lonely); it hurt regardless, a profound hurt that picks away at your spirit. I'm not sharing this so my friends can tell me how sorry they are, I don't need sympathy. I am sharing because the Violence happening now across the country is ugly. And personal. We need to take care of each other. We have some dark dark days ahead. The game has changed. The bullies are more advanced and they are coming out in numbers. It is beyond not kind. Bullies at the schools and on the streets are out in full force, anyone of color is targeted, any LGBTQ person is not safe - and may god help you if you are a mix. Those videos during Brexit got nothing on us. We win the "america's got videos" game. Youth and adults alike are shaking in fear - the KKK is planning a Parade in December for their new King. Putin popped open a bottle of his best bubbly. I'm not going to follow that path. I will continue to be kind. But kind does not mean weak. Frankly, hate scares me, because it is so deeply rooted, still - I am going to be less afraid. I have friends and relations that need to know that there will always be love for them. I can't love fiercely if I am afraid. I will not be afraid. Heart Strong ❤️

*photo of little girl putting out the lit prayer signs after the tsunami in japan. being the light. doing the work. doing what she can do. she reminds me of me as a little girl. besides my grandmother, she is my teacher too.