God Bless America.

Last night was the election.

We had an election party which was supposed to start at 8:30 but much to our suprise, McCain was already giving his concession speech at that time.

Both McCain supporters and Obama supporters were there and it was an interesting atmosphere at our house. We all sat around and waited for the results on Prop 8, which if passed would make it illegal in California for same sex couples to be married. While we were not all Obama supporters, I was suprised to find that we were not all in support of shooting down that proposition. When religious reasons were sited, I suddenly understood.

What came next I was not prepared for. After watching Obama speak (which, by the way drove me to tears) and feeling connected with my friends and being surrounded by the people I love, we were all suddenly divided again. It was so uncomfortable that people ended up having to leave due to the awkwardness. I never really understood why people say the two things you don't discuss are religion and politics, now I do.

If there is one thing I have learned from this election and my time in the very liberal city of San Francisco it is this....regardless of where you come from, what God you believe in or if you believe in one, how you were raised, what your political affiliation is or how you vote, be kind to those you love and respect those who differ from you. We are all blessed to live in a country where each one of our votes matters (We saw it last night with Nevada and several others), we have the power to change things in America and we are blessed to have that power. But to those who do not want the same change I want, you still have the right to hold that opinion and I will never berate or judge you for that. As Obama so eloquently said yesterday night, "we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America."

Act accordingly.