To those who can hear me, I say – do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed – the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish.

– Charlie Chaplin, The Great Dictator

I spent this past weekend perched atop a cliff in the Umpqua National Forest, trying to forget how difficult this week has been and find the means to move forward with so much uncertainty in the air.

Progress is scary, far too scary for some. I am trying to be hopeful instead of fearful, hopeful that my rights as a woman will not be stripped in the next four two years, hopeful that this hateful rhetoric will give way to unity and peace, hopeful for change.

I have done much soul searching this week, and much soul healing this weekend.