12 years ago we spent Thanksgiving in the garbage dumps of El Salvador with families we grew to know and love. This little boy found an American flag amongst the rubble and held it up. This image remains as a reminder to me that our country is great. We truly are so blessed and lucky to live in such a place.
Today more than ever… we need love. We need kindness. We need peace.
My kids slept soundly as I sat downstairs silently watching the announcement of the new president a few days ago. My heart sunk and my stomach turned as I listened to the final results. Nausea. Then anger. Then fear. How? Did? This? Happen? Just then my little three-year-old boy came down and sat on my lap in tears. He had just awoken from a bad dream (in which I thought…I feel like I am in that same dream) and I held him. We just sat there as he buried his little face into my shoulder and wrapped his arms around my neck. Tears streamed down my face as I thought about the love I have for my boys and what I would tell them the following morning.
And this was my message to them that morning.
- Stand up for what you believe in. Dare to stand alone.
- Love everyone. Even with those with differing beliefs.
- Work together. Today more than ever we need unity.
- You don’t always win. Celebrate other people’s successes.
And my favorite line from Hillary:
“To all the little girls (and boys) whose are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.”
xo,
Meet the Author: Cristi Dame
Cristi is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in child and parent connection. She has a passion for her family, the outdoors, photography, and mint oreos.