The recent election results have flooded social media, television, radio, and each and every group chat I am a part of. With the results came speculation, disappointment, continued debate on political policy, and funny memes.

This is not a political article.

I am completely unequipped to get involved in the nitty gritty game that has become this campaign and consequential election of President Trump. I have a different and more down-home kind of message.

There are matters we need to discuss that are related, yet not directly dependent upon Tuesday’s results.

I have to offer up some encouraging words to the anyone who cares about a young child that is worried that the next four years will result in an America of penetrating hate and ignorance that will create a generation of wicked young people.

I am not a parent, but I am an older sister, a godparent, a camp counselor, and a teacher’s assistant. My greatest credential, though, is that I was once a kid and this election has made me reflect on why I believe what I believe, and how the presidents of my childhood have affected the adult I have become.

I have come to a conclusion: The kids will be okay.

I know this because, as I child I was minimally influenced by my presidents. The economic growth of Bill Clinton, the reckless mistakes of George Bush, and the healthcare initiatives of Barak Obama have given me a great deal to think and learn about the world. I have been mildly disturbed and/or encouraged by the actions of these men, but, personally, I have never met them. Therefore, they could not have taught me the most important lessons in life.

When I think about values like love, hate, generosity, and integrity, I do not think about my political leaders. My presidents, although they made me think, did not teach me cruelty; The kids at school who wouldn’t let me play with them, and the boys that called me fat stirred the hate within me. My presidents did not teach me love. My nana did when she made me my favorite dinner and said my prayers with me at night.

Barack Obama provided healthcare for many, but he did not teach me generosity, my mother did when she talked on the phone to her patients, at all hours of the day and night, in order to get them their medicine. She did not only do her job, but she, to this day, gives so much of herself to her patients and is rarely given the thanks she deserves.

Bill Clinton did not teach me anything about compassion, but my dad did when he offered the homeless man on the street a coffee, and committed his life to educating young people, AND taught me how to do adult stuff like opening a bank account and do my laundry. I watched him do unto me as he would want done unto him.

George Bush did not teach me duty when he sent troops to Iraq to defend the rights of our democracy, but my granny did when she showed up for every catholic sacrament that my siblings and I accomplished even though she did not agree with the teachings of the Catholic church.

Because of all this, I can give you hope and encourage you to not turn your back on this the positive nature of this country. Donald Trump has preached hate, racism, and bigotry, but he will not teach your children to do the same.

Only the people closest to us can help us learn right from wrong, good from bad, love from hate, and acceptance from indifference. And in our everyday lives, no matter what the leaders of our nation tell us, love must trump hate. If we do this, the kids will be okay.