I have gone through several stages of grief. Denial. Anger. Bargaining.
I have asked myself countless questions. Am I dreaming? Is this really America's future? Was there a mistake?
I have expressed my voice and heard the voices of my loved ones. We are shocked. We are angry. We are scared.
As I watched online as Hillary Clinton delivered her concession speech in New York, I felt heartbroken.
Clinton apologized to her supporters and encouraged everyone to have “an open mind” about President-elect Donald Trump.
"This is not the outcome we wanted. I’m sorry we did not win this election for the values we share and the vision we hold for our country," Clinton said.
Clinton reminded everyone that her campaign “was never about one person or even one election. It was about the country we love.”
As she continued to speak, with her smile never fading, I got another glimpse of what I had hoped (and truly expected) our next President to be. She is an inspiration. She is uplifting. She is passionate. She is composed. She is a leader.
Clinton adds that she believes in our country “and always will,” no matter the results of the election.
While our country is more divided than anyone ever imagined, Clinton reminds us that we will get through this. As hard as this is to believe after almost two years of fighting for what we believe in, countering hate with love, going high when others went low, Clinton makes me hopeful.
Clinton went on to thank everyone who has supported and helped her along the way: Tim Kaine, Barack and Michelle Obama, Bill, Chelsea.
She thanked all of the women who she has proudly championed for and reminded us that although, “we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling,” of a woman taking on the White House, soon enough, someone will.
She spoke directly to the young girls who have looked up to her along the way, reminding them to never doubt their value and power. They deserve every single chance and every single opportunity in the world.
Clinton urged her supporters to not give up on what they care about because of her loss, but to continue marching forward.
“I have had successes and I have had setbacks,” she said. “Many of you are at the beginning of your professional public and political careers. You will have successes and setbacks, too. This loss hurts, but please, never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.”
So let's work on moving forward and continue to fight for what is right because we are stronger together.