The Presidential Election of 2016 is officially over. I was fortunate enough to have an article pending publication if Hillary Clinton won the presidency. Call me an optimist, but I didn't have anything prepared if the election results went a different way. I figured I would cross that bridge when I come to it. Perhaps that was foolish on my behalf because now I am forced to write an article in which I truly don't know what to say or how to express what I feel. The great Ernest Hemingway once said, "All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know." I know that there will be some people who read this that may disagree completely with what I have to say. But this article is going to be compiled of some of the truest sentences that I know.

It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.
- Eleanor Roosevelt

First off, let me extend a congratulations to Donald Trump. This has been an emotional and tiring campaign for everyone involved. Through months of campaigning and traveling across the country, he has inspired many individuals who deemed him fit to be our next president. He has created a following of loyal supporters and that is truly admirable. While I don't support his election for president, that does not negate the monumental success he achieved in being elected to office.

As for me, today, I'm not really sure what to do. I don't know how I'm going to talk to some of the kids who were crying to me a few days ago, scared that they'll be deported. Yes, I'm distraught and devastated over the election results. I'm hurt that a man who has said many cruel things is who our children will look up to. I'm sad that I have no idea how to explain bigotry, racism, and sexism to those who look different than us. Is being an adult telling someone that things will be okay, even if you don't have confidence they will be?

True equality means holding everyone accountable in the same way, regardless of race, gender, faith, ethnicity - or political ideology.
- Monica Crowley

What hurts the most is that we were so close. We were so close to women's equality and having a women who broke barriers representing our country. She embodied the true American dream, never giving up and overcoming obstacles that are thrown her way. She walked with the strength and conviction of a true champion. Even though she lost the election, I am proud to have chosen her as my candidate.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

I am extremely disappointed in the election results, but I'm not moving to Canada. I'm not picking and choosing the America I want to be part of. I'm going to stay right here and fight for the next four years. I will fight for the rights of myself and for others. Admittedly, I do not know what the future holds for our country. But one thing is for sure, I am not going anywhere.

“Don’t let someone tell you this country isn’t great — that we need to make it great again. Because, right now, this country is the greatest country on Earth."
- Michelle Obama