Four Daze

[H2O Man]

"Truth forever on the scaffold, wrong forever on the throne. Yet that scaffold sways the future, And, behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow, Keeping watch above his own." -- James Russell Lowell, "The Present Crises," 1845


It was a strange four days.

Two days before the election, I learned that one of my best friends over the past fifty years had died. He had lived a full life, though it included a lot of suffering. His son died a tragic death at the age of 17. His wife never got over that painful loss, and eventually took her own life. I will never forget the three of them.

The next day, I learned my 43-year old cousin was in a coma. She was not going to recover, and died early this morning. Twenty years ago, her brother & sister-in-law's eleven year old son died in his sleep. Shortly after that, she found her best friend/ sister-in-law, who had taken her own life. My cousin never recovered from finding her.

Then came Election Day. I was fully confident that VP Harris would win. By early evening, I turned off the news. But the next twelve hours included communications from a wide variety of family and friends. They were saying things that I am still too numb to really consider ..... Was there corruption? The numbers don't make sense. The Harris-Walz campaign was outstanding. Or it was flawed.

It is too early for me to reach any conclusions. I can say the numbers don't add up to me. Plus a friend with an extensive military career -- though now retired -- told me he is very suspicious. At the same time, I know that hatred, sexism, and racism are in style in our country.

In the next few days, I will huddle with my books about/ by Gandhi and King. And read a select few old letters from the Hurricane. But right now, I am numb.

[yardwork]

1. I'm so sorry for your losses.

The election.... is taking time to process. You've been hit with numerous shocks. Take care, friend.

[H2O Man]

3. Thanks!

The sun is out, and the sky is blue. So as soon as the dog wakes up -- our earlier walk tired her out! -- we'll go for another walk. And maybe go sit by the pond, or go to the waterfalls.

Yesterday, I went to the grocery store to stock up on supplies, so I don't have to leave my property until just before Thanksgiving.

[Passages]

2. So sorry about your losses.

[H2O Man]

5. Thanks.

[Docreed2003]

4. Thank you for this H2O Man

I'm so very sorry for your personal losses.

I agree that the numbers seem "off" based on the perceived enthusiasm going into this election. At the same time, and maybe this is because I live in a very red area, I will never underestimate the level of misogyny and racism in this country, even amongst those who are our supposed allies.

I have no answers, just like I had no answers for my children, one in her 20's and one in his mid-teens, on Wednesday morning. All I know is that we have to find a way to come together, lean on each other, support our community, and regroup fast for the fight we have ahead of us.

[H2O Man]

7. Right!

My four adult children are looking for answers, and hoping I'll have them. My only "answer" at this point is to keep an open mind, focus on rational thinking rather than allowing emotions to hold the reins, and stay fully committed to your values.

[Docreed2003]

17. I think that's the best advice for all of us!

Thank you my friend!

[Easterncedar]

6. So much grief

I am very sorry, dear H2O Man. It’s too much.

We will somehow manage to rise and fight. But this is not where we had hoped to be, how we had hoped to live.

We stand together.
Love and peace.

[H2O Man]

9. Thank you!

I can say that my west coast brother made me laugh. He is best described as a Tip O'Neill Democrat, who has become as pessimistic as humanly possible since the felon was first elected. His reaction to this election is probably not fit to be shared in polite company.

[Easterncedar]

32. I am not polite company (smiley winky emoji)

I miss Tip O’Neill and his (imperfect) kind. Giants.

[malaise]

8. Deepest sympathy my friend

Few will forget this week

[H2O Man]

10. Thank you!

It's been a waking nightmare. But we will get through it.

[malaise]

11. Must be even worse for you

This is too much

[H2O Man]

16. I had a

curious event take place while at the grocery store yesterday. It made running into an old friend who was sincere in assuring me that aliens -- the space type -- had planned this, seem closer to reality-based.

While loading groceries into my vehicle, I saw a large truck with offensive bumper stickers crossing the parking lot in my direction. The driver appeared to be looking at me. Now, I practice "situational awareness," as I recognize these are unstable times. The guy parked near me, and without looking him in the face, I noted he was short and muscular. I wasn't sure what to expect. As a young man -- in fact even after that -- although I got in very few street fights, if I knew a fight was certain, I struck first. And that would end it.

However, the guy approached with his right hand out, asking, "Hey, are you (H2O Man)?" I agreed, and for the first time was looking at is face, which was topped with a maga hat. But he didn't say anything about politics. Instead, he said I had been someone he looked up to as a kid, and that his wife had recently told him that she had seen me. Ha!

So we are in uncharted territory now. But we will find the way.

[colorado_ufo]

12. These are difficult times, indeed.

I am so sorry.

I wonder what the "secret" was that Trump said he was sharing with Mike Johnson?

[H2O Man]

13. Thanks!

The numbers don't make sense to me.

[Lonestarblue]

18. The secret may be that the votes were hacked for Trump. Who knows, other than that Republicans always cheat.

NC and PA especially are strange. I would lije to see a thorough recount starting with hand counting ballots in minority districts and comparing the ballots to the machine tabulated counts. Why aren’t Democrats demanding this?

[Faux pas]

14. So sorry for all of your losses

H20 Man I figured the fix was locked in when the hump turned his "rallies" into gibberish fests. He had no reason to make any effort. I'm recovering from hip replacement and have no room in my brain for him to live rent free. I'm choosing to free myself by not caring any more for right now. I'm practicing peace love and joy.

[H2O Man]

23. Thank you!

I've been feeling more tired than I ever have before, so I'm focused on resting. And to get proper rest, I can't allow negative emotions etc to take hold. Once I get some proper rest, I suspect clearer thinking will come about.

How is the hip replacement going?

[Faux pas]

27. Thanks for asking

so far so good. It's been 2wks today, in physical rehab home AKA skilled nursing facility haven't made a successful esca pe. Hopefully be done next week and be released to my son and daughter in law. I'm not good at being confined lol. I miss my family my KittyBoy and my Marijuana. Sorry if it's TMI I could have just stopped at the first sentence 😅.

[Wild blueberry]

15. Be well, Water Man

You've endured multiple losses in a short time this week.
With you on peculiarity of the numbers; something smells very off.

I always read and appreciate your posts. Please tend to your heart and soul.
Thank you.

[Bumbles]

19. I'm so sorry to learn of your personal losses, so difficult on their own.

I hope you will find time to grieve those and re-center, while also grieving the great loss to our nation.

My son and I went to the rocky coast of mid-coast Maine yesterday hoping to find some kind of perspective, maybe start a healing process. We watched as eider ducks rode the waves roiling beneath us, as they have done since time immemorial. No answers, but a determination to join others in preserving this grand experiment, once the shock has worn off.

[Fla Dem]

20. A very tragic week for you. I am so sorry for you H2O Man.

[iluvtennis]

21. Take care of yourself H20 Man and heal.

[jaxexpat]

22. Well, Bud, they say the portal to enlightenment is guarded by Paradox and Illusion or something......

but they don't talk about the visceral mental anguish so much. Like when you perceive your mind actually flexing and spasmodically contorting. The physical reality of profound confusion which comes in fellowship with great trauma and/or inner numbness. But like the man said, "Maya, Maya*", or was it, "the horror, the horror**". Epic time to be alive, eh? Ship of fools and everyone whose unqualified demands to be captain. Go in peace, amigo.

* last bit of Hesse's "Magister Ludi"
** you know this because it's a "classic"

[Kid Berwyn]

24. I am so sorry about the losses you and yours have suffered.

Please know we are with you, in spirit and in practice, Brother.

[MustLoveBeagles]

25. Right there with you

[Bo Zarts]

26. I am numb for similar reasons ..

On the Friday before the election my youngest brother died, unexpectedly. He was fourteen years younger than me, and leaves behind a partner who suffers from profound dementia .. possibly FTD .. and who has no one else in the world. My brother was a medical doctor, but the circumstances of his death include his refusal to seek medical treatment during a three week long illness. This is the first time I have brought this up on DU, because I am so totally devastated. I will post more after we get the results of the autopsy, which is required in the state where he died.

Then on election day night I called one of my best friends to tell him about my brother's death, and find out my friend has pancreatic cancer. It was almost too much to bear.

I am reminded of the first line of "The Good Soldier" by the English novelist Ford Madox Ford: "This is the saddest story I have ever heard."

Peace,
Bo

[livetohike]

28. I am so sorry for your losses H2O Man. The tragedy

That affects some families is inexplicable. May every good memory you have of your friend and your family members help to comfort you. ❤️

Once the shock of this election wears off, we’ll get back to work. My thoughts are that a lot of Trump voters will be in shock when Project 2025 becomes reality.

[haele]

29. So sorry

That's a lot of mental blows to take, on top of the surprise uncertainty of the strength needed to face what happens tomorrow going forward.
Take care of yourself.

Haele

[multigraincracker]

30. The older I get the fewer people in my life.

Really hard to make new friends now.
Have only one living relative and I hardly get along with him.
My wife is my everything now. I’m older than her and now my only goal is to live one day longer than her.
Was feeling a little low today until I went out for an hour run. That turn the light on and have had a great day.
The election is past me now. It’s got to get better, can’t get any worse. But every day is a new one. Hope you wake up to a better one.

[stillcool]

31. Life can be so damn hard...

when you can't see the flip-side, or hold on to it for more than a flash. The emotionally, physically, and psychologically devastating aspects are a force indescribable. And yet, this too shall pass.

[niyad]

33. Four Daze indeed. Please accept my condolences on all of your personal

losses, and a group hugggg for Tuesday night's collective shocker.

[2naSalit]

34. First...

My condolences, that's a lot of people to lose in two days.

I have moved beyond the numb stage, though I have moments of gut punch pangs, and am making plans for a big change in my world to accommodate the world coming up.

When you do recover from the numbness, things will be clarified as to what to do, crystal clear in some cases.

Be strong, we need to look out for each other more now than ever.

[Saoirse9]

35. I am looking for volunteer opportunities

It is the only thing I can think of to do. Black people are going to go through hell. I want to find a way to make things easier or more bearable but I don't know where to start.

Edited to say I'm so very sorry for your losses.