Must I accept the Trump presidency?

I sat in disbelief as the election results slowly came in and were reported. State by state, numbers showed that many Americans voted for a different person than the one I wanted. My ideas differed from the one finally pronounced president-elect on concerns like abortion, economics and healthcare. I cried. His definition of change scared me, and I felt like the world had come to an end.

So I fully understand the feelings of the protestors. I shared those feelings on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008. My vote had nothing to do with race, for I have great love and respect for African Americans Dr. Ben Carson, Sen. Tim Scott and Congresswoman Mia Love of Utah. My difference with Barack Obama was ideology. But I accepted the will of the people and Obama became my president, because America’s democracy is a wonderful process that has worked well for 240 years.

Who am I? I am a Southern white female, college-educated with two doctoral degrees. I am a Christian, and before any election, I research the candidates and the issues. My vote is not based on emotion, but on common sense. I am nearing retirement age - so, I’ve seen a few election cycles. As President Obama stated, the political system zigs and zags. And this keeps our country balanced.

My loving advice to those disappointed by this election is to open your eyes to the beauty of our wonderful democracy. We enjoy freedoms and blessings that most in this world will never experience. Don’t rebel against what you perceive as problems; be part of the solution.

Pray and the world may be a better place by the next election. And, perhaps, you’ll sit and watch those results come in, not with sadness, but joy.

This story was originally published December 3, 2016 at 11:53 AM with the headline "Must I accept the Trump presidency?."