Yesterday was a good day for our nation.

A man who values country, people, planet, unity, equality, liberty, the constitution and the democratic process was sworn into office. I let out a sigh of relief, breath I’d been holding for 4 years.

I learned something about myself and others over the last 4 years. I learned that I will always vote for the person over the policies. I have a position on tax reform, government oversight, the environment, science, equal rights, prison reform, etc. but I care MORE that the head of our country is a decent human.

And wow, “decent,” what a low bar.

I learned that many people, some of whom I love dearly though disagree with greatly, do not vote this way, They put policy first. And that is ok. It is not right or wrong, just different.

History shows that presidents with questionable morals can still make good policy. We may disagree here but Bill Clinton and now, Donald Trump are two that come to mind (Yes, I do agree with a couple of his policies). Their character and moral standards however: garbage.

Ideally, our nation’s president should be not just brilliant, compassionate and convicted to serve but morally, above reproach. They should have a track record of putting the common good before their personal gain. They should have a private life that reflects outstanding character. They should have integrity and do the right thing, every time. They should work toward unity, justice and equality for all.

The leader of our land . . . that person should sow hope, show humility and shoulder a moral compass pointing toward the well being of others, of our nation.

This past administration made us doubt news, science and most unfortunately, our neighbor.

I’ll admit, I was anxious but hopeful when Trump was sworn into office. My heart was worried but my American spirit knew we had to remain hopeful. If you are one of the people who are unhappy with our new president. If you are scared, angry, doubtful, I see you. I WAS you. While I took a deep sigh of relief yesterday, maybe you have just started holding your breath.

I understand why you feel this way. Conspiracy theories abound. They might feel new to you but I have been fretting over them, in some form, for years. I want to tell you that it is not the end of our democracy. We are not now a socialist country. Biden didn’t get elected with a secret agenda to hand it over to Harris. The democrats didn’t rig 7 million votes. Civil war and secession are not imminent. Everyone chill.

“. . . the answer is not to turn inward, to retreat into competing factions, distrusting those who don’t look like you, or worship the way you do or don’t get their news from the same sources you do.” Spoken like a true leader, Biden.

For what it’s worth, I will do my best for you. I will care for you, for your fears. Where my fears were stoked at every turn by our former president, by extremists, I will NOT do that to you.

“We have never, ever, ever failed in America when we have acted together.” We will not fail now.

As President Biden said yesterday in his inaugural speech,

“To all those who did not support us, let me say this: Hear me out as we move forward. Take a measure of me and my heart . . . I will be a president for all Americans . . . I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did.”

I believe whole heartedly that he will do his part to make this happen. So, let’s do ours. Let’s listen to our neighbors. Let’s try to understand them. When we disagree, know that we can still love one another. The hate and division has got to go. We can do this.

XO, Lauren