I have been sitting back and watching how our nation has handled the 2016 election and then the 2017 transition of the presidency. Some of what I have seen has given me so much joy. Some of it has completely broken my heart. I have done my best not to interject my opinions so I can listen. I wanted to hear people, to really understand people and what is deep in their hearts.

I will be honest, there have been more conversations that I had to walk away from because there are people I love that have very different views than I do. I left many conversations disagreeing but still loving.

So many people I know and love dearly are feeling fearful for their rights. Women and men who love more honestly and give more of themselves than most people I know are heartbroken.

I also love many people who are thrilled about our new president and all the words coming out of his mouth. They seem to feel hope in the direction our country is heading.

Here is my heart, I ask that you hear my deep passion and love.

Since I was a little girl, all the people in leadership roles in my life have always had adamant opinions of the men leading our country. It was confusing and created a fear in me that certain political sides are better than others and that was how we judged who was best for our country. Who would make the better choices and who would run this country into the ground.

What always seemed so off to me is the lack of love for the people on the other side of the political views.

I may not like the man who is now the president of this beautiful country, but I love the people who voted for him. Not because I agree with them but because they are beautiful human beings that have freedoms given to them by the men and women who have fought so hard for us as Americans.

I do not in any way agree with the violence that has come from the fear and anger created deep in the hearts across our country, but I love the passionate souls fighting for their rights because they are beautiful human beings. This week they are using their freedom to express that anger.

I may not have been interested in this year's female candidate, but I was so very proud of the strong women who connected and walked in protest for our rights in Oklahoma City. I wasn't able to go, but I was blessed by the images of sparkling eyes full of joy. It was breathtaking.

You are you because of your experiences, and you are you in spite of them. I am me because of mine, and I believe that if we take a moment to remember that, and if we spend time connecting, we will experience more joy than ever before.

I love you America, and I love our freedoms. I love you with no regard to your political views, how they differ from mine, or how similarly they may be.

May you take just a moment to give away some love and enjoy our your freedoms.