A open letter to my daughter

Dear Norah,

"Dad, I'm scared." That was your message to me in the early hours of Wednesday morning, as you watched the election slip away from us.

I understand. You're scared for your rights—your reproductive rights, your right to privacy, and the rights of your friends to love and marry whomever they choose. You're scared because you're beginning to feel like a majority in your country sees you as "less than." They treat you, value you, as "less than."

Seeing you hurt like this breaks my heart. You feel crushed, betrayed by the country you call home.

Here's what I want you to know. 

It's okay to feel scared and angry. I feel it, too. But I also find hope. Half of this country still believes in kindness, fairness, and respect. Those of us who do have to keep stepping up and speaking out.

This election may feel like it runs against everything we believe in, including your right to exist freely and equally as a woman. But it doesn't mean we stop fighting; it means we dig deeper to build a world where dignity and equality are not up for debate.

Making a difference doesn't stop because things didn't go our way.

So keep learning.
Keep speaking up.
Keep showing kindness, compassion, and empathy.

Change is hard, but it's possible. I believe our country still has a future worth fighting for, but it's going to take work to regain what we've lost. If you care like I do, it's time to put in that work. It's not hopeless, but it won't be easy.

I'm proud of you and I love you.

Dad