Now Is the Time

Dear Editor,
    When I was a kid growing up in the Sixties, I was taught that crying was not okay, which might seem weird because I was a young girl. My mom even gave me a reminder to not cry at my dad's funeral when I was 8. I have had lots of knots in my throat since then, but I'm reluctant to shed tears. I avoid sad news or sad movies because I don't want to cry.
    Since the presidential race was announced last night, I have been sobbing. Sobbing for my first grade students of color who are worried about being sent back to their ancestors' countries, even though they were born in the USA; sobbing for those of us who lived through the Seventies turmoil and saw so many positive changes, reflected in President Obama's love and care for our nation; sobbing for the hatred that Trump has incited, sobbing for the work Hillary Clinton has done. I'm also afraid of what the future holds, especially for women, people who have the freedom to have anyone as their partners, and people who love our country and work so hard to make it our home.
    If anyone has any words of wisdom, now is the time to share them.