Finding Hope Amidst Disappointment: A Reflection on Loss and the Beauty of the Moon

This week has been particularly challenging for me as I grapple with the grief of losing an election that felt so significant. It’s tough to mourn a concept, a vision for our future that I deeply believed in. Putting on a happy face in public while I felt like I’d been gut-punched proved to be exhausting. The reality of losing to someone I view as a putrid pedant has been disheartening — at best.

Yet, even in the midst of this disappointment, I identify as an optimist. I genuinely believe we need to hold on to hope for our country and the world at large. Hope can often be the light that guides us through the darkest of times.

This morning on my way to work, amidst the chaos of my thoughts, I was greeted by a magnificent sight: the full moon. It hung in the sky, golden and giant, a symbol of permanence and beauty. I gasped — a reflexive response to its majestic presence. Here I am, in my 50-something years, still captivated by this celestial wonder.

In that moment, I felt a spark of joy. The moon, unchanging and eternal, reminded me that there is still beauty in the world, even when things feel bleak.

Despite the current political landscape, I find solace in the thought that one way or another, our country will move forward. Trump will be gone in four years, and as I counted down the full moons until then, there are only 48 more to witness. Each one represents a milestone, a moment of anticipation that I can hold on to as I navigate this tumultuous period.

So, as I continue to process my feelings, I embrace the hope that the future holds. I will mark each full moon as a reminder of resilience, optimism, and the belief that brighter days are ahead. After all, even the darkest night will end, and the moon will light our way.

Here’s to holding on, even when it’s hard, and finding beauty in the moments that inspire us. -Phyllis